PITTSBURGH SEMINARY REMEMBERS PROFESSOR EMERITUS CHARLES B. PARTEE
Pittsburgh Theological Seminary mourns the passing of the Rev. Dr. Charles B. Partee, P. C. Rossin Professor Emeritus of Church History, who died Sept. 14, 2025. Dr. Partee served in ministry and higher education for nearly 50 years. He taught Church history at PTS from 1978 until his retirement in 2009, and he was awarded emeritus status in 2010. Widely beloved by students, Dr. Partee is fondly remembered for his scholarship, his commitment to the Church and its people, and his sense of humor.
A sought-after Calvin scholar, Dr. Partee contributed chapters to publications such as Encyclopedia of the Reformed Faith (Westminster John Knox, 1992) and New Dictionary of Christian Ethics and Pastoral Theology (IVP Academic, 1995). He also authored Calvin and Classical Philosophy (Brill, 1977), Adventures in Africa: The Story of Don McClure (Zondervan, 1990, 1992, 2000), Encountering God: Christian Faith in Turbulent Times (Westminster John Knox, 2000; with the Rev. Dr. Andrew Purves, Jean and Nancy Davis Professor Emeritus of Historical Theology, PTS), and The Theology of John Calvin (Westminster John Knox, 2008; considered a definitive work in its field), and published numerous articles in journals such as Scottish Journal of Theology, The Reformed Review, and Christian Scholar’s Review. In addition to his academic publications, Dr. Partee is notable for his presence in public-facing media: he was a frequent contributor to the humor column in The Presbyterian Outlook (titles include: “Squirrels in My Attic,” “Awl or Nothing,” “Ardor vs. Order,” and dozens more), and he maintained a personal blog hosting theological content until he was more than 90 years old. He was an ordained Minister of Word and Sacrament in the PC(USA).
Known for his wit and approachable teaching style, Dr. Partee was beloved as a quiet, steady presence on the Seminary’s campus whose door was always open for conversation. Crowds would gather for the services he led annually in Hicks Chapel. In 2009, Dr. Partee was presented with the Seminary’s Calian Award, which recognizes someone who “expresses a caring spirit of good will and hope essential for life together as a community.” His connections with the Seminary expanded beyond the professional; in 1957, he married Margaret McClure, with whom he had four children, and he wrote fondly of his father-in-law, the Rev. Dr. Don McClure ’34, the namesake of the Seminary’s annual W. Don McClure Lecture. Dr. Partee held a bachelor’s degree from Maryville College, a bachelor of divinity from Austin Seminary, a master’s in classical philosophy from the University of Texas (Austin), and a doctorate in theology (with a concentration in the history of doctrine) from Princeton Theological Seminary.
“Professor Partee was an excellent example of the profound impact that a steady, approachable presence can nurture students,” said the Rev. Dr. Asa Lee, president of Pittsburgh Seminary. “The joy, availability, and mentorship he brought to the PTS community for more than 30 years are unique and irreplaceable gifts that will be deeply missed. But even as we grieve his passing, we celebrate the lasting impact he has left upon generations of ministers who will carry forward the good work he believed in.”