Robert E. Cooley: A Tribute

DAVID S. DOCKERY

Robert E. “Bob” Cooley, one of the finest Christian educators and administrators of the past fifty years, was called home to glory on April 1, 2021 at the age of 90. A two-time graduate of Wheaton College, Cooley also held a PhD from New York University in Hebrew Studies and Near Eastern archaeology. Best known for his outstanding leadership as the second president of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary from 1981-1997, Cooley served key roles as well with the Association of Theological Schools (ATS). A past president of the Evangelical Theological Society, Cooley served as a board member for a variety of evangelical organizations.

Recognized as a wise consultant, he was invited to serve in an advisory role for the Trustee Boards at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in the early 1990s. It was during his time of service to Southern Seminary that I first met him thirty years ago. Since that time, he has been a wonderful friend, encourager, and mentor. I was privileged to serve on the team of accreditors as the academic representative during the final accreditation reaffirmation process with ATS while Bob was still serving as president at Gordon-Conwell. In more recent years, he has provided thoughtful counsel for our work with the International Alliance for Christian Education (IACE). In his role as a member of the Board of Reference, he gladly served as a cheerleader, offering heartening guidance concerning the efforts of IACE related to faculty and leadership development. Even in my most recent conversation with him a few weeks ago, he continued to offer encouragement in all of these areas. 

Cooley wrote and lectured around the world on themes of Christian education, theological education, leadership, and archaeology. He led numerous trips to the Holy Land and participated in several archeological excavations in the Middle East. Truly an evangelical statesman of the highest order, Cooley was ordained in the Assemblies of God tradition. Throughout his life, he remained committed to the full authority of the Bible, the power of the gospel, and the historic truths of the Christian faith. 

I am just one of dozens of others who were blessed by Bob Cooley’s friendship. With deep thanksgiving to God, we all point to Bob Cooley’s influence on our lives and leadership. He leaves a significant legacy in the many areas of service in which he was involved.

Following his death, a memorial service was scheduled for Wednesday, April 7, 2021 on the Gordon-Conwell campus in Charlotte, North Carolina.

David S. Dockery serves as president of the IACE.