The most amazing ‘teacher’.
Knew him mid-1980s.
The ravens are coming to peck my eyes out for neglecting to look him up.
Just a few years , the many times I’d think of him.  Now it was just a few short years too late .
Special person and my first professor who shaped my future.
God bless.

Beth (formerly Stacey) Gilbert
Washington, DC

Carl’s influence as a teacher has profoundly impacted my life and work. I am daily grateful for his wisdom, kindness, and keen ability to foster creativity and independent thought. I have fond memories of caring for his family cats and Airedale terroir when the family was away and if the garden veggies that he and Carol shared with me as a student on a limited budget. Dr. Skrade never skirted the ragged edge of theology nor took refuge in easy answers or illusive hope. While that made the task of pastoral theology and practice more difficult for me, it has also made it more honest, and in the final analysis, more true. I once’s asked him what he believed about eternal life. He said that he believed that God who is gracious in life is gracious in death. May he rest in grace.

From Ralph and Ann Anderson and Cindy and Tom Scanlon.

It is a shame, but we don't know who these are from.

From Ralph and Ann Anderson and Cindy and Tom Scanlon


Carol visited us in Kansas City 23 years ago. Here is a picture of Kate Skrade and Kate Skrade.  Clearly Carl’s dog!

Loving Lilies and Roses Bouquet was purchased for the family of Carl Edward Skrade.

Roger & Cecelia Skrade, their children & spouses purchased the Sweet Remembrance Spray for the family of Carl Edward Skrade.

In September 1975 I rode the COTA bus from the West Side of Columbus to Capital University for my first college class scheduled at 8 AM. It was Carl's class. I was disoriented at first. In time, with Carl...because of Carl, I learned to think...and "be". Went to Israel twice with him. Sat in his office a lot. That was a good place to be. At the top of the stairs in Rudolph Hall outside his office was a particularly inauthentic picture of Jesus which Carl particularly disliked. On numerous occasions he offered to pay me money to make it disappear. I suppose I have spent a good bit of my life trying to effect that disappearance. I am not at all proud that I went to seminary and actually graduated. I am proud that they tried to kick me out over theological disagreement. My wife says that our daughter who is a social worker and has to cut through a lot of nonsense in her work...thinks like I do. Well, that wouldn't have happened if not for the COTA bus ride to  Carl's class. When my Dad died, Carl came to the funeral home calling hours on the West Side. I am very grateful for his life. Very. That gratitude extends to all his family and loved ones. I am Jewish now. We say, "May his memory be for a blessing." It is.

Dr. Skrade's classes were life changing for me. His Christianity and Cinema class was revelatory, and the films he screened for us, including "The Pope of Greenwich Village," "Harold and Maude," and "Stunt Man" continue to help me make sense of the world. He also loved musicians, and as a music composition major, and he expressed only encouragement and respect for me and the vocation I was pursuing.

I do recall now early on, when I was (I think) a freshman, walking up to him after a class to explain I would be late turning in an assignment. He put his hands on my head and yelled, "HEAL!!!" like a preacher, although I was too shocked to laugh. However, that was the last time I was late with an assignment! 

My sincerely condolences to Carl Skrade's family. In my experience, our friends and family never really leave us. Their presence remains in ways that can be hard to explain.

I remember Dr. Skrade, sitting cross legged on his desk, coffee mug cradled in his hand, with his head tilted to the side, waiting to hear the answer to his question.  He took such joy in teaching.  We called ourselves his groupies, and took to taking mugs of our own to "Skrade class" (although mine had Diet Pepsi in it).  It was because of his classes and Dr. Wilson's that I declared religion as a major.  I was honored to serve as his assistant my senior year at Cap.  
  May the strength of Christ's resurrection and God's promise to be with us always bring his family comfort and peace.  
  Beth Ferne Johnson, class of '91

I, too, was among those 80s students that Carl influenced to grow in faith, that in my case, led me to ordained ministry.  Attributing that call to his influence as a mentor amused him to no end.  I can still see him sitting on top of the desk in class, holding his coffee mug.

My favorite Skrade story was sophomore year when I was taking an overload of classes and couldn't get my final paper done before the Christmas break.  I told him I would turn it in late and take a letter grade drop.  He said no, turn in the paper or fail the class.  I had no choice but to fail and try to explain to my parents. 

When my grade card arrived before Christmas, there was a mistake.  I had an A instead of an F, so I was glad that my parents wouldn't find out the truth until I was back in Columbus.  When I returned, I went to Skrade's office, told him about the mistake, and he smiled and said it was no mistake.  I protested and said, I didn't do the work, I didn't pass the class, and you gave me an A anyway?  He said, "Lyberg, what is the name of this class?"

"Grace."  And he sat there and grinned.  I have used that story many times in sermons and teaching.

BTW, he never gave me an A again.  I got the point.

Dr Skrade was my advisor as a religion major, pre theology when I was at Captial in the early 80's. He made such and impression and yes he did challenge my simplistic faith. He always made time for his students and impacted many lives - most certainly mine. I am so grateful I went to Capital and got to know Dr Skrade. He loved those who had questions and encouraged students to "think". My sympathy to his family and friends.

Bobbi Lindner

Dr. Skrade is THE professor I remember from my days at Capital in the early 80's. He challenged our "Sunday school faith" and helped us to start to deal with the more serious issues of faith. He was not popular with everyone, but for those of us who were headed to the seminary, he helped build a foundation for critical thinking in theology and Bible. And he loved it when I took him to the Clippers baseball games because we used my dad's box seats!!!

When I first became an adjunct professor at Capital, Carl was kind and welcoming to me. His teaching set a high bar for me to imitate. His model made me a better teacher.

E. Wray Bryant, Ph.D. Assistant Professor Religion and Philosophy, Capital University.

10 files added to the album Memories Album

4 files added to the album Memories Album

We recall fondly the thoughtful lectures, the wonderful shared meals, the time at his cabin, his sailing with our kids. Carl opened new vistas for us, invited us in, and kept us company. He offered the Henri Nouwen "hospitality" we all need. We were sorry to learn of his death and cherish his memory. We send love to his family.

OBITUARY

Carl Edward Skrade

August 11, 1935 – September 5, 2019

Schoedinger Midtown

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