John Robert’s Obituary John Robert Vannoy, age 81, completed his earthly journey on February 3, 2019. Bob was born in 1937 in Wilmington, DE. He was the son of the late Dr. Wesley and Margaret Vannoy of Wilmington.
He graduated from P. S. duPont High School and went on to earn his B.A. from Shelton College. After continuing his studies at Brandeis and Boston Universities, he received his M.Div. and S.T.M. from Faith Theological Seminary before going on to complete his Th.D. from The Free University of Amsterdam.
While studying at the Free University in Amsterdam, he met his future wife, Kathe Polder. In 1965, they married at the English Reformed Church in Amsterdam and then moved back to the United States. Bob and Kathe resided in Souderton for the last 48 years where they raised their children.
They celebrated 53 years of marriage last May. Dr. Vannoy was one of the original founders of Biblical Seminary in Hatfield, PA, which was founded in 1971. During his tenure, he played a crucial role in creating an institution known for its adherence to scripture and its concern for the well-being of its students.
He taught Old Testament courses at the seminary for 34 years and contributed considerably to academic and curriculum development. He was honored with appointment to the Allen A. MacRae Chair of Biblical Studies. Bob was known as a brilliant but humble professor who challenged students through the rigor of his academic standards.
Considered one of the leading scholars on the Old Testament books of Samuel and Kings, Dr Vannoy wrote study notes on those books for the NIV Study Bible, published in 1985. Those notes were adapted and used in the NASB Study Bible, published in 1999. He also provided study notes for the New Geneva Study Bible (1995).
In 1996 he was asked by the translation committee to suggest changes to improve the NIV translation of I and II Samuel. Additionally, he was a contributor for the revision of The New Living Translation, published in 2004. He is also the author of I and II Samuel, a volume in the Cornerstone Biblical Commentary series, as well as his book Covenant Renewal at Gilgal.
Dr Vannoy was also a frequent contributor to scholarly journals and commentaries. After his retirement from Biblical Seminary, Bob and Kathe, made multiple trips to Asia where Bob lectured on a variety of biblical topics to pastors and students serving in the ministry. A former student has made great efforts to preserve some of his seminary lectures which are now readily available online.
These lectures will continue training and equipping pastors around the world. Dr Vannoy’s students are now ministering in nearly 30 countries worldwide. Bob will be remembered as a kind, genuine, hardworking and humble man who was easy to converse with.
He was a loyal and committed husband, father and grandfather. In addition to his family he enjoyed a wide variety of interests including travel, photography, sports, politics, world news, gardening, reading, hiking and spending time along the Maine coast. Bob immensely enjoyed yearly summer trips to Maine where he and Kathe treasured their time with their children and their spouses and grandchildren.
Bob and Kathe have four children: Anna and husband, Bob Strickland, of Telford, PA, Robert and wife, Liza, of Rising Fawn Georgia, Mark and wife, Esther, of Waldoboro ME, and Jonathan and wife, Debby, of Woodinville, WA. The Vannoys have 16 grandchildren. Bob’s sister Ruth Killen resides in St. Louis, MO.
He was predeceased by his brother David. In honor of Bob’s interest in developing a strong Biblical foundation in young people the family requests that in lieu of flowers memorial donations be made to Deerfoot Lodge Blue Campaign, P.O. Box 228, Speculator, NY 12164, Coastal Christian School Building Fund, 574 N. Nobleboro Rd, Waldoboro, ME 04572, Covenant Presbyterian Church, 310 Covenant Lane, Harleysville, PA 19438 or Harvey Cedars Bible Conference, 12 Cedars Avenue, Harvey Cedars, NJ 08008 where Bob was a long time board member. Services will be held on Saturday, February 9 at 12 PM at Covenant Presbyterian Church, 310 Covenant Lane, Harleysville PA 19438.
Visitation will be from 10-12 at the church. Interment will follow the service at Old Goshenhoppen Church Cemetery in Woxall. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.
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