Obituary of Robert Bruce Haslam

Rev. Robert Bruce Haslam of Hermitage, TN passed from earth to heaven January 28, 2015 after a brief illness. Born May 13, 1928 in Seattle, WA, he was a fourth generation Free Methodist clergyman and lovingly dedicated to the church that he served in several capacities for more than 50 years. He pastored churches in Washington, Michigan and Indiana. In 1960 he took his young family to the Philippines as missionaries where he became director of Light and Life Bible College in Butuan City, Mindanao. He was an executive in the World Missions Department of the Free Methodist Church for 22 years and served as editor of Light and Life Magazine for 10 years. During his tenure as editor the magazine twice received the award as Denominational Magazine of the Year. Rev. Haslam was founding editor of In Touch Magazine for World Relief and traveled the globe ministering to many in refugee camps in Asia. His ministry also took him to Central and Southern African countries, South America and the Caribbean. He was an ordained elder in the Pacific Northwest Conference of the Free Methodist Church. After official retirement Haslam mentored aspiring writers for The Christian Writers Guild and edited books for a Christian book publisher. He was a prolific Christian journalist and had articles published in more than 70 religious publications. Bob Haslam received a BA degree from Seattle Pacific University in 1950 and Master of Divinity degree from Asbury Theological Seminary in 1954. While there he met and married the love of his life, Frances (Todd) Haslam. Rev. Haslam was a life member of the Evangelical Press Association, a member of National Religious Broadcasters and Kiwanis Club. Bob, known for his "punny" sense of humor, was known best for being a gentle, kind, generous and thoughtful man of God, loving romantic husband, and wonderful father, grand and great grandfather. He loved music and in his youth studied piano under the Seattle Symphony Orchestra's pianist who encouraged him to pursue a career in classical piano. This was his dream until God called him into the ministry. Music became his hobby and he began to write music and sing his own hymns in church services. Bob is survived by his wife of 61 years, Frances (Todd) Haslam, sister, Irene Ekkens (Al) of Ridgecrest, CA; son, Daniel Haslam (Cynthia) of Mt. Juliet TN; daughter, Karis Haslam Merrick (Byron) of Baltimore, MD; four grandchildren, Rev. David Haslam (Jessica) and Marcus Haslam, Philip and Sheridan Merrick and two great grandsons, Micah and Rowan Haslam. Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Rev. Oliver and Rachel Haslam, Seattle, WA, brother, Ed Haslam (Mabel) and sister, Lilian Burbank (Keith) both of Seattle. Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, February 7, 2015 at Hermitage United Methodist Church, 205 Belinda Drive in Hermitage, TN at 3:00 p.m. Visitation with the family will be from 1-3 pm. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to World Missionary Press, P.O. Box 120, New Paris, IN 46553. Sellars at Mt. Juliet, 615-758-5459.