Remembering Dr. Earl C. Kaylor, Jr. ’46
Earl C. Kaylor, Jr. served the Church of the Brethren and Juniata College by weaving his expertise and labor into the history of both while also educating students and greatly enlarging our understanding of the history of his beloved denomination and alma mater.
A native of Greensburg, Pa, Kaylor graduated from Juniata College in 1946 with his bachelor of arts in history. Feeling the call of ministry, he earned his M.Div. at Bethany Theological Seminary and received ordination in 1949. History, though, also called on him, and he earned his masters degree in history from Notre Dame in 1951.
He spent five years in full-time ministry in Western Pennsylvania. In 1958, Kaylor returned to Juniata to begin what turned out to be a teaching career lasting 33 years. In the first portion of his career, he undertook more graduate study and earned his Ph.D. in history from Penn State University in 1963.
Earl Kaylor’s interests and skills went far beyond the classroom as did his role on campus. Kaylor coached the baseball squad and also served as Athletic Director. His motivation for athletics also led him to complete marathons and to become an adept fisherman.
Perhaps his greatest gift to the college and the Church of the Brethren and Pennsylvania, are his four books of scholarship, each of which reflect his abiding appreciation of these institutions. In honor of the college’s 100th anniversary, he wrote Truth Sets Free: Juniata Independent College in Pennsylvania, founded by the Brethren, 1876: a centennial history (1977). His account of the people from which the college sprang followed in 1981, Out of the Wilderness, 1780-1980: The Brethren and Two Centuries of Life in Central Pennsylvania. His third book was a biography of one of the most famous Brethren and Juniatians, Martin Grove Brumbaugh: A Pennsylvanian's Odyssey from Sainted Schoolman to Bedeviled World War I Governor, 1862-1930 (1996). Called upon again by his alma mater, even though he was well into a happy retirement, he re-wrote and updated his history of the college for its 125th anniversary in 2001, Juniata College: Uncommon Vision, Uncommon Loyalty. In recognition for that scholarly service, the college bestowed an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters upon him, that same year.
—James Tuten, professor of history
Dr. Earl C. Kaylor, Jr., noted scholar, author, and avid sportsman, passed away peacefully, at home at age 93 with family by his side on Jan. 8, 2020.
Born in Greensburg, Pa., on Sept. 25, 1926, Earl completed his course work early at Greensburg High School in 1943 and soon earned his bachelor of arts in History from Juniata College in 1946. He moved from there to Bethany Theological Seminary in Chicago, IL, becoming an ordained minister in the Church of the Brethren (COB) in 1949. Earl also earned a masters of arts in history from the University of Notre Dame in 1951. He completed his educational odyssey by receiving a Ph.D. from Penn State University in 1963.
Earl began his ministry at the Westmont Church of the Brethren in Johnstown, Pa., in 1953, departing five years later to accept a teaching position at his alma mater. During 33 years as a professor of religion and history at Juniata College, Dr. Kaylor was highly respected and admired for his knowledge and ability to connect with both students and faculty. He was, at various times, a professor, athletic director, baseball coach, summer school director, faculty marshal, and author. He wrote four full-length books chronicling the histories of Juniata College and the Church of the Brethren.
Early in his tenure at Juniata, Dr. Kaylor was also asked to be the interim pastor at the Stone Church of the Brethren in Huntingdon, Pa., for one year. His affiliation with the Stone Church began during his undergraduate years at Juniata and resumed upon his return to Huntingdon in 1958, lasting the remainder of his life.
Away from work, Earl was at his best outdoors. His love of fishing – and his consummate skill at it – was remarkable. He also hunted, piloted his pontoon boat on Raystown Lake, and enjoyed hiking the trails of central Pennsylvania with his wife and friends. Always active, Earl played baseball, basketball, handball, ran two marathons, and walked long distances regularly until he was 90. His yard and gardens at his home on Cold Springs Road were marveled at by many passers-by. In the Huntingdon community, he gave back by serving as a Little League baseball treasurer, Rotary Club president, and Huntingdon Area School Board member.
Dr. Kaylor was united in marriage to the former Harriet Anne Beahm on June 30, 1951. He is survived by his wife of 68 years – a second Dr. Kaylor – his three children: Susan Herrold (Roy) of Winfield, Pa.; David Kaylor (Sally) of Huntingdon; and Jonathan Kaylor (Jami) of Naples, FL; a sister, Nancy Bowers (Barry) of Cape Coral, FL; five nephews, one niece, six grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. Earl was predeceased by his parents Earl Sr. and Sylvia (Appleby) Kaylor and sister Frances Dutil. He will be greatly missed by all.