Dr. Robert L. Lynn

Dr. Robert L. Lynn, 88, died September 8, 2020 in Norman, OK, after several years battling Parkinson’s Disease.

He is remembered for his passionate and compassionate leadership as an inclusive university president for over 22 years, as an avid Rotarian and Rotary District Governor, managing editor, journalist and writer; as an award-winning writer of his inspiring poem “Cancer is So Limited”; and as a gracious husband, father and grandfather.

He was born November 19, 1931 to Warren Amos Lynn and Mary Emma Johnston Lynn at their modest homestead in Fox, Oklahoma's arid hills, surrounded by oil derricks.

Lynn graduated from Fox High School in 1949, while serving as music director of Fox Baptist Church with his twin sister Betty as pianist. He earned his BA degree from Oklahoma Baptist University (OBU) in Shawnee, OK, and subsequently earned Master’s degrees at Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. He earned his Ph.D at the University of Oklahoma in Higher Education Administration, and a Harvard University Leadership Certificate.

At OBU on a track scholarship he competed in the 800m and mile, met his wife Bonnie, and reported sports for The Shawnee (OK) News-Star. From 1953 to 1967, he was a writer and managing editor at All Church Press in Fort Worth,Texas.

From 1967-1975, he was a Vice President and then served as interim president for a year at Oklahoma Baptist University, mentored by Grady C. Cothen. He was an active member of the Shawnee Kiwanis Club.

Lynn became president of Louisiana College (LC) July 1, 1975. At LC, Lynn wrote a column for the state Baptist newspaper, the Baptist Message. Lynn was beloved by his students and strived to know each by name. He connected with students, faculty and staff via his original poems and was often found in his outdoor “president’s office” bench swing.
He served on the commission of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, council of presidents of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics, the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, and the Association of Southern Baptist Colleges and Schools. He served on many civic boards including United Way and Central Louisiana Chamber of Commerce.
Under Lynn's presidency, LC received national recognition for academic quality and Christian atmosphere. The institution was recognized by U.S. News and World Report, "Barron's 300 Best College Buys", and the Templeton Foundation's “Honor Roll for Character-Building Colleges”. His leadership achieved 22 years of no-deficit budgets, substantial endowment funding, and various building projects and expansions. He valued his long-term administrative team, faculty and staff as partners in education and as friends, and he supported alumni well beyond college.

A Rotarian for over 44, he valued service above self, embracing Rotary International’s worldwide projects, serving as president of Alexandria, LA Rotary Club and as a District Governor in Louisiana. Upon retirement, he continued active Rotary service in Duluth, GA, and helped charter 10 new Rotary Clubs in Louisiana and Georgia. He was a Paul Harris Fellow and bestowed that honor on many family members and friends.

Lynn authored four poetry books including “Service Yields Its Own Rewards” a collection of Rotary themed poems. He authored “Cancer Is So Limited” a poem which has given hope to millions across the globe, published in 2013 in the book “Cancer Is So Limited and Other Poems of Faith,” preceded in 2009 by his book “Midnight Verse.” Traveling across the region, he shared verses with 63 Rotary Clubs. In later years he conducted poetry workshops in elementary classrooms across Georgia, and was active in poetry societies in Georgia, North Carolina, Alabama and Oklahoma earning numerous awards.

From his high school years, Lynn faithfully led in his church communities as a deacon, in music ministries and as a Sunday School teacher. He visited home-bound church members weekly for decades. He wrote and led a series of interactive lessons for adult Sunday School classes, publishing collections of their memoirs of faith.

He championed education, social justice, and equality. He brought speakers to LC’s campus to discuss perspectives on national and global issues including President Jimmy Carter, former Louisiana Governor Jimmie Davis, and leaders of Historically Black Colleges and Universities as well as classmates and friends astronaut Bill Pogue and journalist Bill Moyers. Lynn exchanged international visits with a Chinese educational delegation, and in 1998 served as a UNICEF educational consultant to the government of Somaliland, spending six weeks abroad to help develop the new country’s educational system. Among many awards, he and his wife, Dr. Bonnie Lynn, both received OBU's Alumni Achievement Award in 1983. Lynn was the first ever recipient of the Bill Bradley Leadership Award, sponsored by the James MacGregor Burns Academy of Leadership at the 1988 Leadership for a New Century Conference.

He was an avid runner, logging two miles a day into his 80’s and loved to fish, travel, golf, garden and spend time with family, who lovingly addressed him as Doc.

Robert L. Lynn is survived by his college sweetheart and wife of 68 years, Bonnie Moore Lynn; daughter Susy Lynn Calonkey and husband Steve of Norman, OK; son Christopher and wife Angie of Asheville, NC; Grandchildren Rob Calonkey, Katelynn Calonkey Henry and husband Dillon, Darcey Lynn, Jessica Lynn, Audrey Lynn, and great grand-daughter, Clara Henry. His brother Bill Lynn and wife Jane of Pasadena, CA, and sister in law Helen Moore Montgomery of McKinney, TX and many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives and dear friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents and infant son Robert Lee Lynn, Jr.; siblings Doris Lynn Taylor, Kane Lynn, Don Lynn, and twin sister Betty Lynn Thomas.

The family will hold a private graveside gathering and will plan a virtual Celebration of Life Service memorial service later in the fall.