Robert Curtis Black, 1913-1989

Robert C. "Bob" Black was born in Decatur, Illinois, March 4, 1913. He grew up and was educated in the public schools of that city. Early in life a love and aptitude for music began to emerge together with a remarkable natural talent at the piano keyboard. Before his education was completed, music took over as the central interest in his life. By the time he was 18 he had a band of his own and was in demand for dances and other events in his home area. He was on his way to what promised to be a successful career in popular music when his keyboard magic caught the ear of one of the leading traveling evangelists of the time and Bob signed on as a pianist. He spent most of the 1930s traveling the South as musician for several popular tent evangelists. I have sat in his company by the hour fascinated by the tales he could tell about these years.

The outbreak of World War II found Bob, along with a lot of other people, drawn to the booming work opportunities in Portsmouth, Virginia, where he went to work for Seaboard Railroad, a job he continued in until he completed the transition into full-time ministry. When I was assigned in 1943 to West End Church, Portsmouth, then meeting in a community hall, I found Bob playing piano, directing the choir and teaching the adult Bible class. For three years I reveled in his music which ranged from Bach to rousing gospel songs and often included pieces of his own composition, and I marveled at the depth and scope of his largely self-taught biblical scholarship.

Bob's theology, like his music, was not hampered by extensive formal training, but it was driven by a keen and perceptive natural intellect with a breadth of knowledge and depth of understanding that was remarkable. A conversation with Bob on almost any subject was assured of being intellectually provocative and spiritually stimulating.

I happily accompanied Bob through the early part of his course of study work leading to licensing and ordination. He then went on to effective pastorates in the Tidewater area and other parts of the conference, under appointment for just 30 years. He retired in 1978. Everywhere his ministry was enriched by his considerable talents as musician, preacher and Bible teacher and by the com- passion and understanding of his pastoral care. He is remembered with love and respect by all who knew him. The Virginia conference is richer for his ministry among us.

Bob married Nedra Norcum of Portsmouth in 1942. She was his loving and faithful companion until his death and survives him. The funeral was conducted from Snellings Funeral Home in Portsmouth on July 16, 1989, by his pastor, Malcolm Yaple, and his district superintendent, Paul Bailey.

-William A. Wright Jr.