Breaking News: Cal-Nev Mourns Passing of Bob Cary

6/9/2010

The California-Nevada Annual Conference is mourning the passing of Robert J. Cary, 96, who died on Tuesday, June 8 at a convalescent hospital in San Francisco.

He was Annual Conference Youth and Student Director, 1949-1967, and directed the Conference camping program and International Christian Youth Exchange and Missionary Education.
 
Bob Cary served on the staffs of several local United Methodist churches: Central UMC, Stockton; Burlingame UMC; and Wesley UMC, Fresno. He also was the director of the Mid-Peninsula United Methodist Parish in the San Mateo area.
 
For more than 20 years Cary has been an active part of Bethany UMC, and at the Bethany Center where he lived (and led an annual sing-along at Christmas until last year).
 
Longtime friend and colleague, the Rev. Don Fado, says that a memorial service was held at Temple UMC in February 2007, "so that Bob could hear the good things said about him while he was still alive."
 
He adds, "His ashes will be scattered at his beloved Monte Toyon near Cary Lodge, named after him, at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 10. Following a brief service there will be a picnic lunch with each bringing her/his own food, and where stories of Bob can be shared informally."

Comments

1. John and Helen Foster wrote on 6/10/2010 8:06:46 PM
We were privileged to serve with Bob in the youth and young adult ministry of the Annual Conference. We are two of the many persons who grew through the gifts of his leadership and friendship.
2. Don Donihue wrote on 6/10/2010 10:51:55 PM
It was an honor to have worked with Bob during the 1950s. I will always be grateful for the manner in which he opened up new worlds for youth in the Annual Conference at that time.
3. Madi Elsea wrote on 6/11/2010 12:05:58 AM
I had the privilege of serving on Bob's last Conference Youth Team and attending many Conference camps he developed as Conference staff. He nurtured leadership and I know that his commitment to youth ministry had a profound effect on my own leadership development. I attribute my call to the ministry in great part to Bob and his ministry in our Annual Conference. What a blessing he was to so many of us!
4. Vickie Blomquist wrote on 6/11/2010 2:16:47 PM
Oh, the many wonderful times from the mid-50's on with dear Bob. The one thing his impact on my life has been is the encouragement (mainly by his example) to be who I really am as a "child of God" and respect others as the same.
5. Colin Kerr-Carpenter wrote on 6/11/2010 2:17:05 PM
One of the first letters I received after I came on to the Conference staff was from Bob. It was touching to know that he was praying for my success in my work with youth in the Conference. I will always remember this random act of kindness.
6. George Carter wrote on 6/11/2010 3:46:53 PM
Bob Cary was a mentor during my four college years, a role-model for the next 50+, and a stalwart example of living the life of a peacemaker. How could we be who we are had he not been part of our lives?!!
7. Jan Elsea wrote on 6/12/2010 2:41:31 PM
Bob Cary taught me the rare skill of song-leading. He accompanied me on the piano, and we really got those MYF events rocking! I will miss him, and there will never be another person like him.