Meredith College mourns the loss of Professor Emeritus Roger Crook, who passed away on December 2, 2022, at the age of 101.

“Roger Crook was, without a doubt, one of the finest teachers and scholars whose commitment to Meredith, our students, and our colleagues will forever keep him in our hearts,” said President Jo Allen, ’80. “He was a role model for us all, living his faith, his kindness, and his wisdom with unparalleled humility and grace.”

Professor of Religion Shannon Grimes also remembers Crook for his kindness.

“I think it’s safe to say that Roger Crook was one of the most beloved faculty members in Meredith’s history,” said Grimes. “He was so kind and genuine. And he was a fine scholar, too. It was a blessing to have known him.” 

Crook joined the faculty at Meredith in 1949, serving in the Department of Religion. He became a full professor in 1960, chair of the department in 1968, and emeritus in 1987. Among his other service to Meredith, he led the College’s first study abroad program in 1974 and delivered the Faculty Distinguished Lecture, “Love and Law in Christian Ethics” in 1975. He also presented a convocation focused on Thomas Meredith during the College’s 125th-anniversary celebrations in 2016.

Crook and his wife, Mary Ruth, were married for 70 years, until her death in 2015. He is survived by their six sons. The family wrote of his life and work in his obituary, which states: “In so many ways, his life was exceptional. Dr. Crook is remembered for his works on Christian Ethics, Civil Rights, and the struggles of modern families. He and Mary Ruth have been both nationally and internationally recognized for a lifetime of peace and justice work and for being spokespersons for inclusion and equality. The quest for wholeness and the struggle for social justice continues to be nourished by the writings and records he left behind.”