WILMINGTON — Glen Richard “Dick” Dulin, 84, passed away peacefully Friday morning, Jan. 25, 2019, after a lengthy illness. His loving family was with him during his final days, and he received compassionate care from the staff at Liberty Commons Rehabilitation Center.
A lifelong Christian, Dick was a man of deep faith in Jesus Christ, a love for the scriptures and the heart of a pastor.
Dick is survived by the love of his life, Barbara Elaine Dulin (née Gamble) of Dallas, Texas. Married on March 16, 1957, they enjoyed 61 years of faithful marriage. Dick is also survived by his four children, Elaine Clyatt, and her husband, John, of Wilmington, Jennifer Dulin, and her husband, Chris, of Allen, Texas, Andrea Hill, and her husband, Alex, of Wilmington, and Philip Richard Dulin of Plano, Texas. “Granddaddy” will be missed by his 13 beautiful grandchildren, Marie, Catherine, Sean, Benjamin, Evan, Merlee, Hayden, Nicholas, Michelle, Helen, Donielle, Tracy (T.J.) and Tyler. He has two great-grandchildren, Zane and Lincoln, and another on the way. Dick is also survived by his brother, Robert Dulin of Murchison Texas; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Glen S. and Cleda (Neese) Dulin; brother, Albert Jerome (Jerry); and sisters-in-law, Margaret and Dena.
Dick was born Oct. 20, 1934, in Kansas City, Kansas, the second of three sons. After several moves, the Dulin family relocated to Dallas, Texas, where Dick’s father was a successful businessman. By the age of 15, Dick knew he wanted to be a minister, and after earning a bachelor’s degree at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, he enrolled in the Vanderbilt University Divinity School in Nashville, Tennessee. There, he was awarded a Danforth Foundation Scholarship to study Campus Ministry.
Dick was ordained a minister in 1960 at Memorial Christian Church in Dallas. During his long career, he served as a campus minister at several major universities including Penn State, Texas A&M, North Texas State University, Texas Woman’s University and the University of Kansas. He pastored churches in Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Pennsylvania. Dick was deeply involved in civil rights causes in the 1960s and was officially recognized decades later by the city of Lawrence, Kansas, for leading a committee that was successful in securing fair housing and equal opportunity for people of color. He was a caring and compassionate pastor, always willing to lend a sympathetic ear and help someone in need, regardless of church membership, race, creed or color. Dick was an inspiring preacher, in full command of scripture, theology and rhetoric.
After his conversion to the Roman Catholic Church, Dick continued serving in ministry through the Knights of Columbus (3rd Degree), as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, and a choir member. He was a faithful recipient of the Catholic sacraments until the end of his life.
Dick loved classical music — symphony and opera in particular — a love he shared with his wife Barbara, an accomplished pianist. Their four children are artists in music, ballet and ceramic arts. Dick and Barbara’s three daughters married professional musicians, and all of their children are creative artists in their own right. Needless to say, family gatherings were always artsy and entertaining! Dick was also fond of wordplay and a good (or not so good) joke. He was known to be a master of the pun, and his children knew by the twitch of his mustache when another was forthcoming.
Dick’s family is grateful to the loving staff at Liberty Commons and to the faithful priests and lay ministers of St. Mark Catholic Church, especially Rita Braswell, Fran Tabor and Larry Lambe of the Camillus Ministry and members of the Legion of Mary. Funeral arrangements are being coordinated by Andrews Mortuary: Vigil (with viewing) will be held at 6 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 29, at Andrews Mortuary Market Street Chapel, including the Holy Rosary at 7:30 p.m.; a funeral Mass will be offered at 11 a.m., Wednesday, Jan. 30, at St. Mark Catholic Church celebrated by the Rev. Patrick Keane. A luncheon reception will follow in the parish hall. All are welcome.
Memorial contributions in Dick’s honor may be made to the UNCW Catholic Campus Ministry, 4802 College Acres Drive, Wilmington, NC 28402; or St. Mark Catholic Church, 1011 Eastwood Road, Wilmington, NC 28403.
Share online condolences with the family at Andrews Mortuary & Crematory.
