Disciples Divinity House

Charles R. (Chuck) Blaisdell died September 22, 2024, in Massachusetts. Chuck was a current member of the DDH Alumni/ae Council. His intelligence, leadership, and camaraderie graced the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)--from regions and congregations, to theological education and general ministries, as well as many friends and colleagues.

Born in Fort Worth, he graduated from Texas Christian University (BA). He studied philosophy at Vanderbilt University (ABD) and earned the MA degree. In 1976, he became a Disciples Divinity Scholar and was awarded the AMRS degree from the University of Chicago Divinity School. Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis awarded him the MDiv and, in 2012, an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree.

In more than forty years in ministry, he was minister of First Christian Church in Monahans, Texas, Stylesville Christian Church (Indiana), Hilo Coast United Church of Christ (Hawai’i), and First Christian Church of Colorado Springs. He was a lay leader at First Church Sterling, Massachusetts. He served as the regional minister of Northern California-Nevada and the associate regional minister of Indiana. He also worked for UCC Church Building and Loan Fund, Week of Compassion, and the the Christian Board of Publication in development.

Chuck was sought after as a mentor, polity expert, and theologian. He published a number of sermons, articles, and book reviews, and edited Conservative, Moderate, Liberal: The Biblical Authority Debate (Chalice Press). Read his introduction to Clark Williamson's distinguished alumnus address here. He was a director emeritus of and served on the board of directors of Higher Education & Leadership Ministries. Chuck was a voracious reader, enjoyed piloting his Cessna 150 and, later, listening to air traffic control. He moderated numerous online forums and appreciated puns, both terrible and clever.

He was, according to his dear friend Bob Hill, "a steadfast champion for the best practices and attitudes ministers can embody--across the face of the shifting tides of technology, the call to grow in all dimensions of ecclesial life, the rigor, integrity to which all clergy are called, the need for fiduciary integrity on all levels of church life, and so much more."

He is survived by his wife, Barbara (Shires) Blaisdell; his brother, Jim Blaisdell; his hanai brother, Bob Hill; his children, Micah Shires-Taylor, Rebecca (Shires-Taylor) DeWeese, Andrew Blaisdell, Katherine Blaisdell, and their spouses; and three grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Hazel (Carr) and Richard Blaisdell, and his brother, Greg Blaisdell. Services will be held at the First Church of Sterling, Massachusetts, on a date to be announced.