IN MEMORIAM: Rev. David Muir

David Blair Muir, 94, an erudite pastor, Hebrew scholar, and lover of music, died of heart failure on September 15 in Burlington, Wash.

Muir was born in 1918 in Rochester, N.Y. To prepare himself for the gospel ministry he enrolled at Houghton College in Houghton, N.Y. He subsequently transferred to Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Mich., graduating in l942. His theological training was at Westminster Seminary in Philadelphia, which awarded him the B.Th. degree in l945. Muir began ministerial service in l946 in the United Presbyterian Church (PCUSA) in Gibson and White Oak, Iowa. He became an ordained minister in the Christian Reformed Church when he was appointed as director of the Paterson Hebrew Mission in Paterson, N.J.

He subsequently served CRC congregations in Imlay City, Mich., and Anacortes (Wash.) CRC. He retired in 1983.

A quiet gentleman who was proud of his Scottish heritage, Muir had a delightful sense of humor. His heart beat warmly for those who had needs and burdens. Throughout his ministerial career he was a gentle pastor; worldwide missions held his close attention.

Muir was a highly skilled expositor of the biblical text. His scriptural knowledge and understanding of the original languages were the secrets of his excellent preaching. He was a thoughtful reader of the theological classics, a lover of classical music, as well as the arts in general, and was a fine vocalist.

Muir devoutly cared for his wife, Jean, during a long illness until her death in 2005. He is survived by his children Margaret and her husband, Rev. Don Belanus, and Helen Muir as well as two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.