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Edmund F. Perry, 75, of Evanston, professor emeritus of religion and a former president of the American Theological Society, died Dec. 14 [1998].
A memorial service was held at First United Methodist Church, Evanston.
A member of the Northwestern faculty since 1954, Professor Perry served as chairman of the department of history and literature of religions (now the department of religion) for many years. A longtime Evanston resident, he served on the city's Human Relations Commission.
Mr. Perry's interests in world religion led him to the study of Buddhism. A Christian theologian, he spent his career seeking to understand Buddhists as they understand themselves. From 1967 to 1968, he was Fulbright Professor at the University of Sri Lanka-Vidyodaya, collaborating with the Ven. Walpola Rahula on studies in religion. In 1964, he brought Dr. Rahula to Northwestern as a professor of religion. It was the first time that a Buddhist monk held a professorship in a university in the western world.
"Edmund was a rare man of brilliant mind and radiant character," said Richard Kieckhefer, professor and chair of religion. "He was a key figure in Christian-Buddhist dialogue and in interfaith relations generally. He made a deep impact on the academic study of religion here and abroad."
An ordained Methodist minister, Mr. Perry was known for challenging his students and colleagues and, when appropriate, carefully tending to their personal needs. He remained in close contact with many of his students long after they left the University.
Born in Chicamauga, Ga., Mr. Perry was educated at the University of Georgia and Emory University's Candler School of Theology. After earning a doctoral degree in 1950 from Northwestern, he taught at Duke University for four years before returning to Northwestern. He is the author of several books, including "Confessing the Gospel," "The Gospel in Dispute," and "A World Theology," as well as numerous scholarly articles.
Perry is survived by his wife Lena; his sons Stephen, Philip and Peter; and grandchildren Nicholas, Juliana and Stephen.
