HJ International Graduate School for Peace and Public Leadership: In Memoriam Darrol Bryant and Jonathan Wells — Darrol Bryant

Dr. Darrol Bryant was directly involved in the development of early interfaith programs that originated in the early years of HJI (UTS at that time). These included the first “theologians conferences” convened in Barrytown in the late 1970s, and, as an outgrowth of those meetings and with the support of our Founders and then president Dr. David S.C. Kim, the formation of the New Ecumenical Research Association (New ERA). Darrol also played a major role in New ERA’s conferences on “God: The Contemporary Discussion” which took place throughout the 1980s; the three major interfaith gatherings known as the Assembly of the World’s Religions which took place in 1985, 1990 and 1992; and many other interfaith initiatives and publicat ions. Over several decades Darrol served as a beloved mentor and dear friend to many HJI students and alumni. He will be missed. The following In Memoriam pays tribute to Darrol. HJI sends its condolences to Darrel’s wife, Susan, and the entire family.

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Jonathan Wells

Dr. Jonathan Wells graduated from HJI [then UTS] in 1978 and went on to earn his Ph.D. at Yale University. To the family and friends of Jonathan, a most beloved and greatly respected alumnus, who made all of us proud to know him, we extend condolences and appreciation to his family and friends.

In Memoriam Read Here

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M. Darrol Bryant

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M. Darrol Bryant Obituary

March 13, 1942 - March 1, 2025

With sad but full hearts we announce the passing of Darrol Bryant after several months of declining health.

Beloved husband of Susan Hodges Bryant, father extraordinaire to Ben (Isabel), Jessica, Lucas (Kirsty) and Emma (Clinton). Extra proud grandfather of Ethan, Kayla, Zoe, Sloane and Sydney. Their nickname for him was Grandpa Yeti. Also cherished by his in-laws Fred, Connie and Rosemary Hodges and the Bagale family.

He was the eldest of four children born to Alex and Debe (Hendrickson) Bryant. Missing his gentle guidance are his twin sisters Sherryl Roth (Roger) and Sherry Bryant, and his brother Kim Bryant (Anne), as well his many nieces and nephews.

Born in Pasco, Washington, during the Second World War, Darrol was raised in Rolla, North Dakota---a tight-knit family farm community under a big blue sky on the great northern plains.

While treasuring his roots (his childhood nickname was “Cowboy”,) Darrol was destined to travel far and wide. He left Rolla to attend Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota. After studying philosophy and religion, he went on to obtain a Master of Divinity degree at Harvard University. After graduating from Harvard, he worked for the Lutheran World Federation in Geneva, Switzerland, on a youth project that took him to almost every country in South America . In that role he experienced the powerful effects of liberation theology in helping the poor and oppressed find a way to improve their lives.

Darrol then settled happily in Canada, accepting a teaching post at Wilfrid Laurier University and completing a doctoral program at St. Michael’s College in the University of Toronto. While in Toronto, he met Susan, his wife of almost 50 years. In 1973, he became a professor of Religion and Culture at Renison College at the University of Waterloo where he remained until his retirement in 2005 and was awarded the honour of Distinguished Professor Emeritus.

While having authored or edited over 25 books and organized dozens of international conferences, his abiding legacy will be among students and fellow trail blazers committed to interfaith dialogue. He was a gifted academic, yet he repeatedly emphasized that dialogue is more than the exchange of ideas. It also involves the experience of engaging one another, of participating in one another’s religious life, practice and rituals.

Darrol travelled to India many times, forming fast friendships with scholars and practitioners in these communities. His great delight was guiding groups of students for a semester of study in India where he introduced them to life and people in Hindu ashrams, Sikh gudwaras, Buddhist monasteries, and Islamic and Christian communities. He was always warmly received.

Darrol was a straight-up fellow, with absolutely no guile or personal agenda. His family, friends and students, who often travelled with him, appreciated his gentle ways, his cornball humour, and his deep wisdom . He was wonderful to be with, whether in the

classroom, around the card table, shooting hoops, paddling the Temagami wilderness or enjoying family in the 1000 Islands.

The family so appreciates the skilled and compassionate support provided by the doctors, nurses, and ca regivers for Darrol in the past few months.

As was his wish, cremation has taken place. There will be a commemoration in the spring, when we can gather and celebrate the many seeds that Darrol has planted in our hearts.

To honour Darrol, donations to Rension University College would be greatly appreciated and may be arranged through the Erb & Good Family Funeral Home, 171 King St. S., Waterloo at 519-745-8445 or www.erbgood.com

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of M. Darrol, please visit our floral store.

Published on March 6, 2025 in the the Waterloo Record

Visit Erb & Good Family Funeral Home for more details.

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To Susan Bryant and Family. With appreciation and Darrol was a classmate in Rolla, ND, Class of ‘60. Had a condolences. great time at a high school reunion with him and his wife. So enjoyed hearing about his experiences and t ravels Thomas Walsh, on behalf of friends from UTS [now HJI] through the years. God bless. 5daysago La Ron Croft a week ago ••• White Florist’s Choice was purchased for the family of M. Darrol Bryant. Send Flowers

We were all sad to learn about the passing away of an old and dear friend Prof. M. Darrol Bryant. I fondly recall my first meeting with him when he visited Guru Nanak We are grateful to Dr. Yani Maniates for sharing the news Foundation, New Delhi, where I was then serving as of the passing of our precious friend and also an Director. It was Darrol, who inv… interfaith mentor, Prof. M. Darrol Bryant. We have fond memories of his visit to India and also association w ith Continue Reading members of the Baha’i Faith … Mohinder Singh Continue Reading March 10, 2025 ••• Dr. A. K. Merchant

IVlarcn .u, LUL:J ••• I remember after moving into our house in Elmira, Darrol brought over a banana loaf as a welcome gift. The start of a lovely neighbour relationship. Our children became Dearest Darrol Lovely Darrol, may his memory be a good friends. I am p leased to have met up again at the blessing. Buddhist monastery a few m… Don Druick Continue Reading March 9, 2025 ••• Marguarite Knechtel March 9, 2025 ••• I have so many fond memories of Darrol. The one that is top of mind is visiting with him and his family at their cottage in the 1000 islands. I was in the middle of a Darrol taught a religious study course that I took at UW as religious transition and his non-judgmental home was a mature student. I remember his gentle ways and the safest place on the planet… philosophical approach to questions. He always had a way of helping students see a different Continue Reading view of thinking about things. Mary Anne Con … Jolanda Jansen Continue Reading March 8, 2025 ••• Mary Anne Connell March 6, 2025 ••• We are deeply sorry for your loss ~ Waterloo Record

A Memorial Tree was planted for Darrol M. Bryant March 3, 2025

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In Memory of Jonathan Wells

Jonathan Wells

Spouse: Lucy Wells Children: Josie, Peter DOB: September 19, 1942

Blessing Date: July 1, 1982 Ascension: September 19, 2024 Seonghwa Ceremony: Wednesday, March 19, 2025 2:00pm at Seattle Family Church, 7000 26th Ave NW, Seattle, WA 98117 Zoom link: httf2s://us04web.zoom.us/j/251525455 Password: 2020

Dr. Jonathan Wells was a member of the Unification Church from 1974 and was blessed in 1982. Thanks to Rev. Moon, after graduating from the Unification Seminary, Jonathan earned two PhDs. His first was Christian Theology from Yale University and his second was in Developmental Biology from UC Berkeley. Following this, he became a well-known critic of Darwinism when in 2000 he published the book /cons of Evolution, which basically exposed the dishonest “evidence” for Darwinism in high school and college textbooks.

Rev. Moon inspired Jonathan both through his Divine Principle theology and his vision for America. Specifically, he often spoke about how America is blessed by God not just for itself but to serve the world as an example of freedom.

Jonathan is survived by his wife Lucy Wells, his daughter Dr. Josie Olsen, her husband Lincoln, their three boys, Ethan, Mateo and Bodhi and his son Peter Wells. We miss him terribly but know his legacy against materialism will live on.

In Memory of Adeline Winter In Memory of Ambrose Kohnke Triggol

In Memory of Peter Hyo Yul Kim In Memory of Jonathan Wells

In Memory of Etsuo Ishida In Memory of Carlton L. Johnson

In Memory of John Rodney In Memory of Werner Gottfried Scanlan Seubert

In Memory of Peter In Memory of Etsuo ) < Hyo Yul Kim Ishida

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