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Pittsburgh Seminary Remembers Professor Emeritus Dick Oman

The Rev. Dr. Richard (Dick) J. Oman died March 19, 2018, at the age of 88.

A native of St. Paul, Minn., Oman served as the Howard C. Scharfe Professor of Homiletics at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary from 1978 until his retirement in 1999, when he was named professor emeritus. From 1993-1999 he also served as vice president for academic affairs and dean of the faculty.

“I have very positive memories of Dick Oman, who was dean of faculty at PTS during my interview process and after I arrived on campus having accepted an appointment to the faculty in 1997,” said Dr. Ron Tappy, G. Albert Shoemaker Professor of Bible and Archaeology. “Dick was a churchman, and his experience there informed all aspects of his deanship. He was always warm, friendly, and supportive of my work from the moment I arrived. As a dean, he was a good listener and advisor. Dick retired only a couple of years after my arrival at PTS, but those were good years under his steady and wise leadership.”

Oman was a graduate of the University of Minnesota, Princeton Theological Seminary, and New College, University of Edinburgh. During his 20 years in pastoral ministry, Oman served three churches in Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C. He also served on a number of committees through various presbyteries and synods, including as moderator of Pittsburgh Presbytery, and the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) General Assembly. Oman was a member-at-large for nine years of The Council of Theological Seminaries of The United Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. and was chair of the Council for two years.

Oman was the author of a number of book reviews and articles and was a guest preacher and teacher at churches, colleges, and ministerial retreats.

Dick was married to Mary Ellen Oman.

Pittsburgh Seminary Remembers Professor Emeritus Dick Oman

The Rev. Dr. Richard (Dick) J. Oman died March 19, 2018, at the age of 88.

A native of St. Paul, Minn., Oman served as the Howard C. Scharfe Professor of Homiletics at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary from 1978 until his retirement in 1999, when he was named professor emeritus. From 1993-1999 he also served as vice president for academic affairs and dean of the faculty.

“I have very positive memories of Dick Oman, who was dean of faculty at PTS during my interview process and after I arrived on campus having accepted an appointment to the faculty in 1997,” said Dr. Ron Tappy, G. Albert Shoemaker Professor of Bible and Archaeology. “Dick was a churchman, and his experience there informed all aspects of his deanship. He was always warm, friendly, and supportive of my work from the moment I arrived. As a dean, he was a good listener and advisor. Dick retired only a couple of years after my arrival at PTS, but those were good years under his steady and wise leadership.”

Oman was a graduate of the University of Minnesota, Princeton Theological Seminary, and New College, University of Edinburgh. During his 20 years in pastoral ministry, Oman served three churches in Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C. He also served on a number of committees through various presbyteries and synods, including as moderator of Pittsburgh Presbytery, and the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) General Assembly. Oman was a member-at-large for nine years of The Council of Theological Seminaries of The United Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. and was chair of the Council for two years.

Oman was the author of a number of book reviews and articles and was a guest preacher and teacher at churches, colleges, and ministerial retreats.

Dick was married to Mary Ellen Oman.