Winifred and Stafford Weeks stand in front of the Weeks House with three members of Monmouth College's philosophy and religious studies department.

The Rev. Stafford Weeks, 88, emeritus professor of religious studies and former dean, died Jan. 25, 2009, in Monmouth.

After graduating from Juniata College and Bonebrake Seminary, Weeks earned his Ph.D. from the University of Chicago. He taught for six years at Huron College before coming to Monmouth in 1959 to serve as chaplain. He continued full-time work through 1986 and taught part-time until 1990.

During his tenure at Monmouth, Weeks studied in Japan at Sophia University, helping with the publication of material for the Buddhist sect of Risho Kosai-Kai. He traveled in Southeast Asia and India, was a Ford Foundation Fellow in India studies, and presented scholarly papers at meetings of the American Academy of Religion.

When off-duty, music was a central theme for Weeks. He loved to play the clarinet in college ensembles and was especially proud of being a part of the Maple City Dixieland Band, in addition to performing with the Monmouth Civic Orchestra.

“Stafford is a very sincere and effective preacher, a versatile and talented musician, and a sound scholar and admired teacher,” said the late Rev. Charles Speel, one of Weeks’ longtime faculty colleagues.

Weeks was also involved in the community during his five decades in Monmouth. Besides a stint as interim pastor of the First Methodist Church of Monmouth, he also served as a school board member and as chaplain of the Monmouth Rotary Club and Community Memorial Hospital.

Weeks took on many roles in addition to his teaching duties at Monmouth, even serving as acting president for a month during the 1960-61 academic year. He also had four stints as dean of the college and served on five presidential search committees. In 1995, Weeks received the college’s Distinguished Service Award.

Two years ago, a $150,000 estate gift that the college received from the Weeks’ former Monmouth neighbors, Harold and Muriel Conger, was used to name the new East Broadway home of MC’s philosophy and religious studies department in Weeks’ honor.

Interviewed recently for a Monmouth Magazine story on Weeks House, the emeritus professor spoke of his relationship with God.

“The way in which God has fitted into life itself is significant to me,” he said. “I didn’t have a vivid awakening and start speaking in tongues or anything like that. But there’s a reality to it all that I’m not alone. It gives a sense of meaning to life – it’s not just a game that we’re all thrown into … That reality has really grown on me through the years.”

Weeks is survived by his wife of 62 years, Winifred, and three daughters, Pam Braun, Cindy Fraser and Wendy Smith.

A memorial service will be held Jan. 31 at 1:30 p.m. at Faith United Presbyterian Church, Monmouth. Memorials may be left to Monmouth College, Faith U.P. Church or Jamieson Community Center, Monmouth.