Robert Spencer Eccles papers

Robert Spencer Eccles was born in Puyallup, Washington to James and Effie Eccles. He received a bachelor's degree in English from the University of Puget Sound in 1934; a master's in theater studies from Northwest-ern University in 1943, a bachelor of divinity from Garrett Theological Seminary in 1944, and a doctorate in Religion from Yale University in 1952. He taught in the Philosophy and Religion Department at DePauw University from 1953 until his retirement in 1977, and served as chairman of the Philosophy and Religion Department from 1974-77. He was a member of the United Methodist clergy, and had served as dean of the Indiana Area's Local Pastor's License School. From childhood, Eccles was a member and supporter of the Boy Scouts of America, serving in many capacities at the local and council levels. He received the Boy Scouts of America's highest adult service and leadership award, the Silver Beaver, from the Wabash Valley Council, in the early 1980s. He was married for 54 years to Kathryn Wann Eccles, who preceded him in death. He had two sons, Thomas Eccles of Phoenix, Ariz., and Bruce Eccles and wife Jennifer, Westfield; five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.