Remembering a Friend of Education Donald H. Kirkham

The United Methodist Higher Education Foundation gives thanks for the life and legacy of Rev. Dr. Donald H. Kirkham, who passed away in December 2023. For nearly three decades, he was a faithful supporter of the UMHEF vision of making it possible for more United Methodist students to attend UM-related schools.

Throughout his life, Don demonstrated a great love for education, teaching at an elementary school in his home country of Australia, teaching theology at Phillips University Divinity School in Oklahoma, and later teaching Methodist History and Polity at Yale Divinity School.

Don earned a Bachelor of Divinity from Drew University in 1966 and a PhD from Duke University. While an Assistant Minister in Lynbrook, New York, he met his future wife of fifty-four years, Phebe. After becoming an ordained Elder, he served many UM churches in Connecticut. He was appointed District Superintendent for the Central Connecticut District and served on the Board of Ordained Ministry and United Methodist Homes. He was also a delegate to the World Methodist Conference and the author of the award-winning book Outside Looking In: Early Methodism as Viewed by Its Critics.

Read more about Rev. Dr. Donald Kirkham here.

Want to join Dr. Kirkham’s legacy of supporting United Methodist students? Learn more.