By Stephen Di Trolio
The Noteworthy section of The Occasional will from time to time highlight the obituaries of those who have had a relationship with the OMSC or a larger impact on missiology, theological education, or missions history. This week we celebrate the lives of Bob Coote and Jeanne Dilg who had a great impact on the work of OMSC in their years.
Robert “Bob” Coote
It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Robert “Bob” Coote. Bob served as OMSC’s associate director for over twenty years, retiring in 2002. He worked closely with Gerald Anderson to guide the center’s programming, edit the IBMR, and establish OMSC as a leading voice in mission studies. He was co-editor of several books including Down to Earth: Studies in Christianity and Culture – The Papers of the Lausanne Consultation on Gospel and Culture (1980, with John Stott), Toward the 21st Century in Christian Mission (1993, with James Phillips), and Mission Legacies: Biographical Studies of Leaders of the Modern Missionary Movement (1994, with Gerald Anderson and others). Bob’s presence at OMSC was rich with warmth, care, and passion. When he retired in 2002, a section of the New Haven campus was affectionately named “Coote’s Corner” to commemorate his leadership.
From his obituary in the Gazzette, “Bob was a caring, honorable and humble man of faith. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend. An accomplished editor and published writer, Bob worked with Christian publications and mission organizations, most specifically Overseas Ministries Study Center in New Haven, Connecticut, where he met and worked with an ecumenical group of wonderful people from around the globe. One special highlight of his career was a trip to Rome where, as the assistant editor, he personally presented the Biographical Dictionary of Christian Missions to Pope John Paul II. He was an avid reader; an aficionado of people’s t-shirts and stories and he loved a good obituary! He was a perfectionist. He was a champion of all. He spent his life as a witness to the love of Christ. He was immensely loved and will be missed dearly.”
Bob was an accomplished author and editor who worked on many works related to the study of missions globally. In his article, “Finger on the Pulse: Fifty Years of Missionary Research“, he wrote, “For fifty years the editors of the Occasional Bulletin (now IBMR) have endeavored to monitor the pulse of global Christian missions. Though attempted from the limited vantage point of Protestant North America, the task was no less daunting. Having just completed a review of this half-century as seen in the BULLETIN’S pages, I have come away sobered by the pace and perplexities of the world Christian mission.”
While he was “sobered by the pace and perplexities,” Coote worked untiringly to investigate, analyze, and edit pieces that would add texture and form to the discourse. Coote is an unsung hero in the present shape of the IBMR, the OMSC as a whole, and the broader conversation of missiology in the last fifty years.
We are pleased, therefore, to make available a sample of Bob’s writing. Below are some of the articles he wrote and published in the IBMR over his 20-year tenure:
- The Uneven Growth of Conservative Evangelical Missions (1982)
- Ministry to Missionaries on Furlough: The Overseas Ministries Study Center, 1922–1983 (1983)
- Lausanne II and World Evangelization (1990)
- A Boon or a “Drag”? How North American Evangelical Missionaries Experience Home Furloughs (1991)
- No East or West: Celebrating Seventy-Five Years of the Overseas Ministries Study Center (1997)
- Twentieth-Century Shifts in the North American Protestant Missionary Community (1998)
- “AD 2000” and the “10/40 Window”: A Preliminary Assessment (2000)
- Finger on the Pulse: Fifty Years of Missionary Research (2000)
In addition to this material, he produced a short history of OMSC from its founding in 1922 to 2000, which is available HERE and on our website. We are thankful for his life and service to the global church. His obituary can be found HERE.
Eugenia “Jeanne” Dilg
Eugenia “Jeanne” Dilg (1937-2024) of Estell Manor passed away on April 23, 2024. The third of six children of William G. and Eleanor Nelson, she lived in Atlantic County, NJ for most of her adult life. Jeanne graduated from The George School in Newtown, PA, and Atlantic Cape Community College. Her most rewarding work was as a mother to her three children: W. Nelson Dilg (Tamara), Eugenia “Gina” Carkhuff (Peter), and Elizabeth “Lisa” Ferraro (Arthur dec.), serving as their nurse, counselor, and friend.
Jeanne had a late start to her career, learning bookkeeping in top Atlantic City restaurants before becoming the Comptroller of The Sheraton Seaside and Terrace Hotels. Most significantly, she spent her last twenty years as the Business Manager of The Overseas Ministries Study Center, where she traveled to share God’s message in Russia, China, and Western Europe. An accomplished accountant, she was active in professional organizations and held officer roles. Throughout her life, Jeanne dedicated herself to various charities and was deeply involved in the Quaker community, embodying the values of The Religious Society of Friends.
Her inspiring words included, “You do not need to be poor just because you have no money,” and “You can overcome anything through hope and hard work.” Jeanne believed in the power of forgiveness and was also a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, championship bowler, and a fan of classical music and international cuisine.
She is survived by her brother Quentin Nelson and sister Marion Squilanti–Johnson, and was predeceased by her brothers William G., Thomas L., and Michael L. Nelson. Services will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Community Food Bank of NJ, EHT.
Info & Condolences: Boakes Funeral Homes
Published by The Press of Atlantic City on Apr. 27, 2024.
