‘We lost a dear friend’: Ron Messier, former MTSU professor, author remembered as great friend – Daily News Journal

Posted: September 24, 2021 at 10:48 am

Sally Holt, Rami Shapiro and Ossama Bahloul| Murfreesboro Daily News Journal

Editor's Note: Ron Messier, 76, died Sept. 2, according to his obituary from Woodfin Memorial Chapel.Messier was professor emeritus inhistory at Middle Tennessee State University where he taught Islamic history and historical archaeology from 1972-2004. He served as director of the honors program from 1982-92. He was also a senior lecturer at Vanderbilt University from 1992-2008. Messier was also an author, including"Jesus, One Man Two Faiths: A Dialogue between Christians and Muslims."

A Memorial service will be held Oct. 27 at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 116 N Academy St. inMurfreesboro.

Ron was exceptional in many ways. With his warm approach and genuine friendship, he influenced many around him.

He recognized the power of religion and the role of the religious institution. He was attached to his church and proud of its role within our city.

On a recent Thanksgiving, he wrote about his blessings:

"For a church family that extends selfless love to all whom it comes into contact with no exceptions."

A man with genuine optimism and a clean heart.He once wrote that in response to hatred "solidarity in prayer is a good response."

His optimism influenced his theology. When speaking about the end of the world, he said, "I also believe in the renewal rather than the destruction of the world in which we live."

Ron was generous in his feelings and a true friend. He wrote, "I will be praying for you as you travel. I ask you to do the same for me as I travel to Morocco. Thank you for being my friend."

Our routine lunches were priceless. Through our friendship, we cared for our community using the power of our different faiths. Our friendship was a practical example of what the faith community can do together. Ron truly deserves the bulk of the credit for establishing and fostering this relationship.

Ron was a man with an abundance of energy and a good spirit, eager to participate in any effort that could bring people together and create a better understanding. Even surgery could not stop him. One of our annual conferences was held five days after one of his surgeries and he was able to persuade his surgeon to allow him to attend.He was OK scheduling a luncheon one day after returning from a long journey. Another time when he could not attend an event, he sent a note:

"Here in North Carolina, I will be thinking about you guys. Wish I was with you."

Ron had a deep appreciation for Judaism and Islam and worked closely with the Atlantic Institute to further Americans' understanding of Islam in general and Turkey in particular. We would often appear together on inter-faith panels and could be counted on to articulate what was unique about his faith even as he spoke what was true in all our faiths.

Ron was a generous man, with his time and his wisdom, and actively sought out relationships with others and worked for ways to make the world a better place for all.

Ron, you have been a true friend and a great partner in doing good and simply a beautiful soul. You will be greatly missed.

Our thoughts and prayers with Emily and the family.

Sally Holt is a professor of religion at Belmont University; Rabbi Rami Shapiro is an author of many books, including six onreligion, spirituality and recovery;Imam Ossama Bahloul has beenthe resident scholar at the Islamic Center of Nashville since 2016 and previously served for eight years as thereligious leader at the Islamic Center of Murfreesboro.

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'We lost a dear friend': Ron Messier, former MTSU professor, author remembered as great friend - Daily News Journal

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