wfn.org | Two Prominent Presbyterian Leaders Die

[PCUSA_NEWS@ecunet.org]

11-Dec-95

              Two Prominent Presbyterian Leaders Die 
 
                      by Jerry L. Van Marter 
 
LOUISVILLE, Ky.--The Rev. Henry Woodall (Hal) Bray, Jr. -- pastor, teacher 
and journalist -- died Dec. 10 in Fort Collins, Colo., of AIDS.  He was 65. 
     A native of Atlanta, Bray graduated from Emory University and Columbia 
Theological Seminary.  Following his ordination, he served pastorates in 
Alabama, West Virginia and Texas. Between 1971 and 1975 he taught high 
school journalism and English in Taft, Texas.  In 1975, Bray became 
associate executive and newspaper editor for the Synod of the Sun, a 
position he held until his retirement last spring. 
     Bray was co-founder and president of the national Presbyterian Print 
Journalism Partnership, fostering education, networking  and support for 
Presbyterian Church-based journalists throughout the country.  He was 
honored as "godfather" of the group at its September meeting in 
Minneapolis.  Bray also was a member of the advisory board for 
"Presbyterian Survey" magazine and for many years served on the staff of 
the General Assembly newsroom. 
     After his retirement, Bray moved from Texas to Fort Collins to be near 
his daughter, Libba, son, Stuart, and two grandchildren, Alison and Sean. 
He is also survived by his ex-wife, Nancy. 
     Funeral services for Hal Bray have been scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 
13, at Harmony Presbyterian Church in Fort Collins.   
     At the time of his death, Bray was spending all of his waking moments 
seeking funds for The Walton Challenge Grant of the Vera Lloyd Presbyterian 
Children's Home in Little Rock, Ark.  He asked that any memorial gifts be 
directed to that campaign.  The address is 1501 North University Ave., 
#260, Little Rock, AR 72207. 
     This reporter counts Hal Bray as one of the most skilled, courageous 
journalists the Presbyterian Church has known. 
 
                              # # # 
 
     The Rev. Arthur M. Romig -- pastor, presbytery executive and former 
Presbyterian missionary to China -- died Dec. 7 of ALS (Lou Gehrig's 
disease) in Santa Fe, N.M.  He was 88. 
     Romig was born to Presbyterian missionary parents in Taian, Shandong 
Province, China.  He was educated in China as a child and graduated from 
the College of Wooster (Ohio) and Princeton Theological Seminary.  He then 
returned to China as a Presbyterian evangelist. 
     During World War II he was held under house detention by the Japanese 
and repatriated to the United States in 1942 as part of a civilian prisoner 
exchange.  He was able to return to China twice, in 1981 and 1984. 
     Upon his return to the U.S., Romig served pastorates in Ohio and 
Oakland, Calif.  He also served as executive for the Presbytery of 
Washington City (now National Capital) and as interim executive for the 
Presbytery of Scioto Valley.  In 1949 he was elected moderator of the Synod 
of Ohio. 
     Romig formally retired in 1973 after serving as pastor of First 
Presbyterian Church in Oakland, but continued to serve interim pastorates 
in Ohio and New Mexico. 
     Arthur Romig is survived by his wife, Helen, and five children: 
Elizabeth-Ann Nicholson of Seattle; Donald Romig of Santa Fe, N.M.; Marilie 
Blanchard of Louisville; Margaret Hagaman of Menomonie, Wis.; and Clifton 
Romig of Lafayette, Calif.  He is also survived by his sister, Ruth Bolton 
of Corwin Springs, Mont.; a brother, Joseph Romig, of Houghton, Mich.; 10 
grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. 
     Memorial services have been scheduled for Monday, Dec. 18, at First 
Presbyterian Church of Santa Fe. 

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