Rev. Dr. Robert Davis Hughes III, 81, retired Episcopal priest and seminary professor, died on Oct. 20, 2024 in Oak Park of complications from Parkinson’s disease.
He served as professor of Systematic Theology, the School of Theology at the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee, from 1977 to 2015, and was trainer of the trainers in the Education for Ministry program. He published numerous articles in theological journals, such as Anglican Theological Review, Sewanee Theological Review and the St. Luke Journal of Theology. In 2005, he wrote “The Holy Spirit in Christian Spirituality” for the Blackwell Companion to Christianity. His 2008 book Beloved Dust: Tides of the Spirit in the Christian Life remains an important text.
In 2016, he and his wife Barbara moved to Brookdale Senior Living to be near family. Here he served as theologian in residence at Grace Episcopal Church, Oak Park, conducting services, serving as a spiritual counselor and longtime member of the choir. A funeral Mass was celebrated there on Nov. 22.
Earlier in his career, he and Barbara made four trips to Romania advising the government on alcohol abuse and addiction. Then for three semesters, they traveled to Tanzania in East Africa to do the same work. He was a member of The Annex, Alcohol Anonymous fellowship at St. Giles Church, Oak Park, and enjoyed more than 40 years of sobriety.
Survivors include his wife, Barbara; his sons, Robert (Carsi) Hughes, of River Forest, and Thomas (Meridith) Hughes; and two grandchildren.