As a student at UDTS (1991-1995) I had many fine teachers, but none that had a greater impact upon my future than Richard Drummond.   By the time I arrived in Dubuque Richard had retired from full-time teaching, but he came daily to the office and continued to research and write.  Because I was interested in missions and Asia especially, I often dropped by his office to chat with him, and we arranged a couple of independent studies that focused upon Buddhism and Buddhist-Christian dialogue.  Sometimes I would visit right after lunch, and it was clear that he was taking a nap.  I felt a bit guilty interrupting his rest!  But everytime he would graciously welcome me and tell me how glad he was to see me.  Then we would start to discuss the readings for the week, slowly at first as he was still sleepy and then as he became more fully awake and warmed to the topic, the discussion would transform.  He was animated, genuinely passionate about the ideas and more importantly the moral issues at stake, and his love for Japan and his Buddhists friends and colleagues was transparent.   Every time I left his office, I felt that the time with Richard had truly enriched my understanding and deepened my Christian faith. I am so grateful that such a marvelous person, scholar and mentor was available to me at that time in my life.

In the following years I spent time in Taiwan as a missionary educator, and have been teaching Religion at colleges and universities in the USA.  I still have all of Richard Drummonds books, both those he authored and those he assigned, as well as many of the books and articles cited in his bibliographies.   Many texts from seminary have gone by the wayside; others are on my shelf but have not been opened for years.  I continue to read Richard's books with profit, use them in preparing my own classes, and draw inspiration from them.

Richard is gone to be with the Lord, but he continues to teach me.  Praise God!