The Rev. Dr. W. Austin Van Pelt

Wesley Austin Van Pelt was a pastor, professor, businessman, father and avid cyclist. He was born in Rahway, New Jersey on August 24th, 1930. He died in Maryville, Tennessee on October 23rd, 2011. He is a graduate of Maryville College, Louisville Presbyterian Seminary, and the University of Denver (MA, PhD). He was a loving husband to his wife of 59 years, Elenor Kramer Van Pelt, and father of four, who had many careers. He was most proud of his work in the ministry which took him across the United States including Blount County, Tennessee and Sitka, Alaska (Sheldon Jackson College) while working for the Board of National Missions. He also served in Churches in Pennsylvania, Wyoming, Utah, and many throughout Colorado. His most unique interim experience was in Barrow, Alaska where he served at Utqiagvik Presbyterian. All the while he worked as a sociology professor beginning his career at Peru State College in Peru, Nebraska and later returning to Colorado as a founding faculty member of Arapahoe Community College in Littleton where he served as Professor and Dean for 19 years. During this time he and his wife owned and operated a local bookstore and he took up cross-country bicycling. Following a pastorate at Leadville he was Honorably Retired, Pastor Emeritus, by the Denver Presbytery. In retirement he was Parish Associate at Wellshire Presbyterian in Denver. Those who knew him were most impressed by his engaging, warm personality and enduring sense of humor. He was preceded in death by his parents Wesley and Grace and brothers Gordon and Roger. He is survived by his wife Elenor, children Mary, Peter and David Van Pelt of Colorado; daughter Anne Regenbrecht, son-in-law Alan and granddaughter Jessica of Maryville; nephews Tim, Randy and Roger; nieces Debra and Karen. In lieu of flowers you may send memorial gifts to Wellshire Presbyterian or Leadville Presbyterian Church. A memorial service will be held at New Providence Presbyterian in Maryville on October 26th at 4:00 PM.