Robert Lowery

Becky Boggs, administrative assistant in the Seminary, sent this message to the campus today:

The family has finalized the arrangements for Dr. Lowery.  Visitation will be at Jefferson Street Christian Church In Lincoln, IL, on Sunday, May 1^st from 2-4 p.m. and again from 6-9 p.m.

The funeral will be held in the Lincoln Christian University chapel on Monday, May 2^nd at 1 p.m.

Again, the family is extremely appreciative of all your thoughts and prayers.

Dr. Paul Boatman sent the following message to the campus at 7:25 this evening:

Dr. Lowery quietly and peacefully passed from this life about an hour ago.  Marilyn said that he squeezed her hand tightly, then quit breathing.

Visitation and funeral arrangements will be announced as soon as they are firmed up.

Marilyn and the children greatly appreciate the support that so many have provided during this vigil. They will look forward to visiting with friends at the visitation and funeral.

Dr. Paul Boatman, Dr. Lowery’s long-time colleague and co-dean of the Seminary, sent this announcement via campus email shortly after 8:00 AM today:

Bob Lowery spent a peaceful night in his hospital room with his family nearby.  His breathing is halting and labored, but he does not seem to be in pain.  His departure appears to be imminent, but his strong heart keeps pumping for now.  We join family in praying for his peaceful passage.

While visitation with Bob is not appropriate at this time, the family in the waiting area would be receptive to a few visits.

NOTE: Dr. Lowery is at Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital in Lincoln, IL.

Dr. Lowery’s daughter-in-law, Sarah, posted this note on Facebook today:

Brian wanted me to pass along a word of thanks for all the love and prayers. They are making Bob as comfortable as possible, and the family is able to spend some meaningful time with him. Please keep them in prayer, and especially pray for peace and comfort for Bob. Much love to you all.

As regular readers will know, Dr. Lowery has not written a post for this site in several months. His health has taken a turn for the worse in the last several weeks and he has been moved into hospice care at the local hospital. My wife and I visited with him briefly this morning to say “thank you” for being our teacher, mentor, and friend. Gary Hall, Bob’s friend and colleague from the Seminary, was also there to read Bob a few psalms and a passage from Revelation (which, Gary quipped, Bob probably could have recited from memory).

More details on Bob’s condition will be posted as they come. Until then, here’s a portion of the text that Gary read to Bob today (Revelation 19.5-9, NIV).

Then a voice came from the throne, saying:

“Praise our God,
all you his servants,
you who fear him,
both great and small!”

Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting:

“Hallelujah!
For our Lord God Almighty reigns.
Let us rejoice and be glad
and give him glory!
For the wedding of the Lamb has come,
and his bride has made herself ready.
Fine linen, bright and clean,
was given her to wear.”

(Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of God’s holy people.)

Then the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!” And he added, “These are the true words of God.”