Bangor seminary dean Oscar Remick dies UMaine philosophy professor was 69

BANGOR – Oscar E. Remick, academic dean at the Bangor Theological Seminary and a philosophy professor at the University of Maine, died Monday night of cancer at Eastern Maine Medical Center. He was 69.

“The death of Oscar Remick represents a great loss to his family, to the church and to the community,” William E. Imes, president of the Bangor Theological Seminary, said Tuesday. “During the past year, he brought his wisdom and experience to the position of interim dean. It was an honor to be mentored by him.”

Remick held a bachelor’s degree from Eastern College in St. Davids, Pa., a bachelor’s degree in divinity from Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wynnewood, Pa., a master’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania and a doctorate from Boston University graduate school. Also a Presbyterian minister, Remick had served as president of the Chautauqua Institution of New York, Westminster College in New Wilmington, Pa., and Alma College in Alma, Mich.

Remick also had served as a member of former Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge’s Keynote Committee, proposing ways for the Ridge administration to improve the state government through education, welfare, health care and economic development. Remick also won the National Governor’s Association Award in 1997 for his service to the arts.

“Oscar Remick made the case for reconnecting art and the dignity of human spirit, for providing a basis for the development of citizenship, and for promoting the common good,” said Ridge in 1997.

Among Remick’s numerous accomplishments was receiving the Higher Education Award of the Presbyterian Church in 1997. He served numerous churches and taught at numerous colleges.

Douglas Allen, chairman of the department of philosophy at the University of Maine, praised Remick’s contributions to the university.

“The students loved him,” said Allen on Tuesday afternoon. “Every single class he taught, his [course] evaluations were glowing with praise.”

Allen said that a large portion of the evaluations praised not only Remick’s teaching of the course, but also praised Remick himself.

Remick published many books as well, including “Christianity and Other Major Religions,” “India and Hinduism” and “Responding to God’s Call.”