Retired Bethel President Dies

McKENZIE — The Bethel University and McKenzie communities are mourning the death of Dr. Reverend Robert (Bob) Prosser, who died Thursday.

Prosser was a Bethel graduate and returned to his alma mater as president. His career had been in servant leadership, serving as pastor of the McKenzie First Cumberland Presbyterian Church for 15 years, as Stated Clerk of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church (15 years) and president of Bethel College, later Bethel University, also for 15 years.

The McKenzie campus experienced its first new building construction under his leadership. It was a new dorm, named in his honor. New construction on the McKenzie campus included a new science building, another new dorm, and a new student center. A new physician assistant campus in Paris was built and many satellite campuses were opened throughout the area, including Jackson, Memphis and Clarksville, to name a few.

“He was a visionary,” said Walter Butler, who followed Dr. Prosser as president of the local university. Butler said Dr. Prosser sought the input of the faculty and staff and was willing to start new programs that helped the students. One such program was the Renaissance program of music and theater. It provided an outlet for talented students to continue performing and learning new skills in the performing arts, even though those students were not majoring in the subject area. The students received scholarships - just as athletes receive scholarships.

Butler praised both Dr. Prosser and wife, Toni, who was the director of development during Prosser’s presidency. “They loved Bethel,” said Butler of the Prossers.

Butler returned to Bethel University after first serving as a student recruiter for Bethel in the 1970s, then as Carroll County Trustee, County Mayor, and as a cabinet member during the Governor Sundquist administration. “He (Dr. Prosser) gave me a great opportunity to return to my alma mater,” said Butler, who worked as the business manager of the university before being named interim president in 2013 and president in 2014.

The following is the obituary for Dr. Robert Prosser.

A memorial service celebrating the life of Rev. Dr. Robert Prosser (Bob) is Saturday, September 7, 2024, at 4 p.m. at the First Cumberland Presbyterian Church, McKenzie. An announcement will be made at the service about how to make donations in lieu of flowers.

The Rev. Dr. Robert Prosser (Bob) was born in Lebanon, Missouri in 1940. He received a BA from Bethel College and a Bachelor of Divinity from Memphis Theological Seminary followed later in life by a MA from The University of Tennessee in Knoxville.

Mr. Prosser was awarded an honorary doctorate from Bethel University and The College of the Ozarks. His professional life consisted of 15 years in the ministry, primarily serving the McKenzie First Cumberland Presbyterian Church, fifteen years as the Stated Clerk of the Cumberland Presbyterian denomination, and 15 years as the President of Bethel University in McKenzie Tennessee.

Bob Prosser dedicated his life to his family, the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and youth and young adults starting their life. His contributions to the Cumberland Presbyterian denomination, Bethel University, and the local McKenzie Cumberland Presbyterian Church have left lives enriched and changed for the better. He was an avid outdoorsman, and he expressed his love for God through his love of nature.

Bob was married to his wife Tony for 61 years and they had two children. In addition to his wife Tony Walker Prosser, he is survived by two children, his son, Steven (Rina) Prosser of Henry, Tenn., and a daughter, Cynthia (Scott) Bowker of Nashville, Tenn. They also have seven grandchildren, Colby Prosser, Shelby (Andrew) Shankle, Luke Prosser, Abbey Prosser, Josh Nienaber, Zachary Nienaber, and Sarabeth Nienaber, along with three great-grandchildren, Boone Shankle, Sawyer Hampton, and Haylen Shankle. He is preceded in death by his parents, Hershel and Alice Prosser, a brother, Forest Prosser, and is survived by a sister Mary (Wally) Bunton.

If you need further assistance, please call Brummitt McKenzie Funeral Home 731-352-4848 or visit our website at brummittmckenziefuneralhome.com.