Dr. Roy D. Echlin (1873-1928)

ECHLIN, SHAVER, SAFLEY

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 5/17/2021 at 16:53:11

From Nevada Evening Journal October 31, 1928 (page 1)

DR. ECHLIN DEAD; FUNERAL HELD THIS FORENOON

COMMUNITY MOURNS PASSING OF PASTOR OF PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Dr. R. D. Echlin, 55, for the past year pastor of Central Presbyterian church of this city, died at the ---se Monday afternoon at five o'clock.

While it had been known that Dr. Echlin was in a very critical condition since Friday noon, when an embolus had formed in his lung, the news of his death came as a distinct shock to the community. During the fifteen months he had lived here and been so closely identified with church and public affairs, he had won a warm spot in the hearts of those with whom had formed an acquaintance. This feeling existed not only among the people of his own congregation but among those of other churches and in the various walks of life.

An indefatigable worker for the church, his family and the public had called too much upon his failing strength, his body refused to "carry on" and a ministery which had begun to show signs of a rich spiritual fruitage was suddenly ended.

Roy D. Echlin was born in St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada, on October 11, 1873, and died Oct. 29, 1928, age 55 years and 18 days. He was the second of three children born to James Ross Echlin and his wife Nancie Shaver-Echlin. His older brother, Ellery, died at Hamilton, Ontario in 1912 and his younger sister, Mabel, died at Braeside, Ontario a year later.

His early schooling was interrupted by the necessity of earning his own living, caused by the death of his father when he was only ten years old. At different time he carried papers, worked in a drug store and in grocery store. For six years he was clerk in the post office at Dundas.

Assisted by the postmaster, he entered high school and during his high school days he was led to confess his faith in Jesus Christ during a series of meetings in the home church. In 1897 he entered McMaster university at Toronto, being graduated with the degree of A. B. in 1901. Later he spent a year in the divinity department of the university, and then attended the Divinity school at Chicago. Here he sat under such men at Dr. William Rainey Harper and Dr. Shailer Matthews.

Early in the summer of 1903 he was called to the Baptist church at Washington, Iowa, where he was ordained. In 1905 at the spring meeting of Waterloo Presbytery he was received into the ministery of the Presbyterian church.

The same year he was called to the pastorate at the Sanborn, Iowa Presbyterian church. Since that time he had held pastorates at follows: 1907 to 1913 Knox Presbyterian church, Sioux City; 1913 to 1917 president of Buena Vista college Storm Lake, Iowa; 1917 to 1919 pastor at Rolfe, Iowa; 1919 to 1922 pastor at Perry, Iowa; 1922 to 1923 a year spent in post graduate work in Princeton Seminary, during which time he supplied the church at Lawrenceville, New Jersey; 1923 to 1927 pastor at Cedar Falls, Iowa; 1927 to 1928 pastor at Nevada.

During Dr. Echlis's pastorate in the Knox church he was instrumental in raising the funds for the erection of Prospect Hill monument which commemorates the prayer meeting held by Sheldon Jackson on that hill 1869. He was also instrumental in helping to organize the Williams Memorial church which has since grown to be a self supporting church in one of the growing suburbs of Sioux City.

While president of Buena Vista college he helped raise the sum of $100,000 for indebtedness and endowment.

He was united in marriage to Margaret Safley in 1909, Mrs. Echlin and two children, Margaret and James survive him.

Services were at Central Presbyterian church this morning at nine o'clock. The bier, in front of the pulpit, was banked with beautiful floral offerings--expressions of love and sympathy from friends. The body of the church was filled with members of the congregation and friends from Nevada and other places where he had ministered.

The service was a most simple one. Following the processional and seating of the congregation, there was a short prayer by Rev. James -oad of State Center. Next came a wonderful touching appreciation of Dr. Echlin by Rev. E. L. Marousek of Jefferson. Rev. Marousek had been converted to the christian faith under Dr. Echlin, had attended Buena Vista college, under his friend, had made his home with the family at time and was indebted to the departed minister for his lifelong spiritual guidance and encouragement.

Dr. J. P. Lester, pastor of the Presbyterian church at Rolfe followed with a brief but touching appreciation of the man and then a prayer by Dr. Myron Boozer, pastor of the Collegiate Presbyterian church at Ames.

After the prayer by Dr. Boozer, Rev. Marousek read a short passage of scripture and recited the poem, "Crossing the Bar," and this was air of the same song, by Miss ** followed by a continuation of the English of the organ. During this music the family and minister left the church and the casket and flowers were being taken from the room.

There was no sermon, neither was there singing, yet the service was a most impressive one. There was evidence of love, sympathy and spirituality in the assembly and people were convinced that just such a service as the departed would have wished for, had been concluded.

Ministers of the city had attended the service in a body and many other pastors from out of the city in addition to those who assisted in the service were present.

Immediately following the brief service, the funeral party consisting of members of the family, with a few friends, left overland for Tipton. Interment will be this afternoon at three o'clock, after brief services at Red Oak cemetery near Tipton.

The people of Central Presbyterian church and of Nevada have learned to love Mrs. Echlin, as well as her husband, for the many fine characteristics and for her work in the church, which she had given of so beautifully and so willingly, and they extend to her and the children a full measure of sympathy.

**There is obviously something missing here but at the bottom of one column the article leaves off with "Miss" and at the top of the next column picks up with "followed by a continuation..."