Few people have taught me so much about love and acceptance. A beautiful soul, an amazing man, and most importantly, someone who made me feel at home and made me feel real when I thought I was lost. I was so fortunate to know him. Rest in peace, Chaplain Christman.
Cecil Price, ’78, ’82
Ed was a friend and pastor to all who came to Wake Forest.
My memories include walks and talks on the beach on the coast of North Carolina, seeing him greet people who knew him from all over this region, the fudge he brought to my staff during busy flu seasons at the Student Health Service, his fun stories about campus life at Wake Forest, his words of love and grace during times of tragedy and loss, his portrayal of God in the campus outdoor passion play (in the late 90’s), his ability to make everyone feel he was their friend.
Wake Forest is a better place because of Ed Christman!
Cecil Price
Director, WFU Student Health Service
Larry Williams
“Hello, Ace!” I loved Ed’s exuberant greeting. He had an exuberance for life and for faith that was contagious, and I am glad that I caught it. I think it will be with me for the rest of my life.
In many ways Wake Forest formed me for the life and ministry that were ahead. I came from a small conservative church and a pretty protected environment. Wake Forest helped to broaden my outlook and deepen my faith. Ed Christman along with Ed Wilson and Claude Roebuck were part of the mind and heart of the Wake Forest that breathed new life into me.
I came to know Ed well in 1957 when I served as BSU president. We worked closely on events such as the pre-school retreat, supper forums and Religious Emphasis Week. He was my mentor then, but in the fifty-seven years since then he was my close friend.
When I think of Ed, I think of Micah 6:8 – “What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?” Ed sought justice in everything. I saw that when, after I received a speeding ticket while driving the BSU station wagon, he said, “You’ll have to take some weeks off from driving (whatever the penalty was) even if you are the BSU president.” Of course, he also dealt with much greater issues of justice. And he did it with mercy and he walked humbly with God. Another passage pops to my mind. He was a “treasure in an earthen vessel.”
I liked the way he greeted some of us with the “Hello, Ace.” But we all knew that he was the real Ace.
louise r.davidson
Dearest Jean and family…You have my deepest sympathy for the loss of your husband. Dr. Ed was such an inspiration to me. I met Dr. Ed in 1988 when I first started working at The University Bookstore. He would come in mornings or through the day to get a cup of Star Bucks coffee and relax in front of fireplace and we would talk about my day. he always had kind words to say to lift my spirits. He always knew when to show up and I thanked God for him being in my life. He will be missed deeply. He was there for me when I retired in 2006. I got the chance to introduce him to my family and to let them know what a kind hearted man he was to me and everyone he came in contact with. He was truly a wonderful friend. you are in my Prayers and thoughts…………. Louise R. Davidson and Willie I Davidson Sr.
Bill Wheeler, MD (82), BA (78)
Christmas my sophomore year at WFU my brother committed suicide and it was on the front pages of papers in DC. Someone kindly notified Chaplain Christman – and I received an incredibly kind, loving and gracious phone call from him the day after. As a 20 year old young man very young in my Christian faith, it impacted me deeply as a “hands on” example of Christ’s love through this dear man. He checked on me on my return to college, and his quiet communication to my professors that spring carried me through the early decision process to be accepted into medical school even while struggling with a declining academic performance due to my grief.
To paraphrase Ed – the older I get – the more I realize God’s grace. Praise be to God for his life and love for so many!
Carolyn Christman MA 84
Thank you beyond measure for all for these beautiful words and stories about Dad. His life sparkled with the genius of being in a perfect job. It also sparkled because of you — your friendship, your joy, your courage, and your journeys. As a young man, he came to Wake Forest, and it was grace that he was able to stay for a lifetime. It was a blessing for me and so many others to grow up in this community.
If you want more Christman stories, you can visit http://www.edchristman.com This is a biographical site that I wrote as an unexpected result of of archiving his papers for the library. I found that so much of the “best stuff” was not in writing but in memory, and created the site as a way to collect and share what we all remember.
To Dean Webster, thanks for the note about first grade. It was a very good year!
Few people have taught me so much about love and acceptance. A beautiful soul, an amazing man, and most importantly, someone who made me feel at home and made me feel real when I thought I was lost. I was so fortunate to know him. Rest in peace, Chaplain Christman.
Ed was a friend and pastor to all who came to Wake Forest.
My memories include walks and talks on the beach on the coast of North Carolina, seeing him greet people who knew him from all over this region, the fudge he brought to my staff during busy flu seasons at the Student Health Service, his fun stories about campus life at Wake Forest, his words of love and grace during times of tragedy and loss, his portrayal of God in the campus outdoor passion play (in the late 90’s), his ability to make everyone feel he was their friend.
Wake Forest is a better place because of Ed Christman!
Cecil Price
Director, WFU Student Health Service
“Hello, Ace!” I loved Ed’s exuberant greeting. He had an exuberance for life and for faith that was contagious, and I am glad that I caught it. I think it will be with me for the rest of my life.
In many ways Wake Forest formed me for the life and ministry that were ahead. I came from a small conservative church and a pretty protected environment. Wake Forest helped to broaden my outlook and deepen my faith. Ed Christman along with Ed Wilson and Claude Roebuck were part of the mind and heart of the Wake Forest that breathed new life into me.
I came to know Ed well in 1957 when I served as BSU president. We worked closely on events such as the pre-school retreat, supper forums and Religious Emphasis Week. He was my mentor then, but in the fifty-seven years since then he was my close friend.
When I think of Ed, I think of Micah 6:8 – “What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?” Ed sought justice in everything. I saw that when, after I received a speeding ticket while driving the BSU station wagon, he said, “You’ll have to take some weeks off from driving (whatever the penalty was) even if you are the BSU president.” Of course, he also dealt with much greater issues of justice. And he did it with mercy and he walked humbly with God. Another passage pops to my mind. He was a “treasure in an earthen vessel.”
I liked the way he greeted some of us with the “Hello, Ace.” But we all knew that he was the real Ace.
Dearest Jean and family…You have my deepest sympathy for the loss of your husband. Dr. Ed was such an inspiration to me. I met Dr. Ed in 1988 when I first started working at The University Bookstore. He would come in mornings or through the day to get a cup of Star Bucks coffee and relax in front of fireplace and we would talk about my day. he always had kind words to say to lift my spirits. He always knew when to show up and I thanked God for him being in my life. He will be missed deeply. He was there for me when I retired in 2006. I got the chance to introduce him to my family and to let them know what a kind hearted man he was to me and everyone he came in contact with. He was truly a wonderful friend. you are in my Prayers and thoughts…………. Louise R. Davidson and Willie I Davidson Sr.
Christmas my sophomore year at WFU my brother committed suicide and it was on the front pages of papers in DC. Someone kindly notified Chaplain Christman – and I received an incredibly kind, loving and gracious phone call from him the day after. As a 20 year old young man very young in my Christian faith, it impacted me deeply as a “hands on” example of Christ’s love through this dear man. He checked on me on my return to college, and his quiet communication to my professors that spring carried me through the early decision process to be accepted into medical school even while struggling with a declining academic performance due to my grief.
To paraphrase Ed – the older I get – the more I realize God’s grace. Praise be to God for his life and love for so many!
Thank you beyond measure for all for these beautiful words and stories about Dad. His life sparkled with the genius of being in a perfect job. It also sparkled because of you — your friendship, your joy, your courage, and your journeys. As a young man, he came to Wake Forest, and it was grace that he was able to stay for a lifetime. It was a blessing for me and so many others to grow up in this community.
If you want more Christman stories, you can visit http://www.edchristman.com This is a biographical site that I wrote as an unexpected result of of archiving his papers for the library. I found that so much of the “best stuff” was not in writing but in memory, and created the site as a way to collect and share what we all remember.
To Dean Webster, thanks for the note about first grade. It was a very good year!