M. Darrol Bryant
1942 - 2025
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M. Darrol
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Ann Watson donated to Renison University College
Saturday, August 16, 2025
With sincere condolences for the loss of the AMAZING Darrol. What a brilliant, kind, generous, and loving husband, father, grandfather, friend, professor, and theologian! The world is a better place because of the beautiful light Darrol shared with so many.
Love from the Younglings (Ed, Chris, & Ann)
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Thomas Leenders posted a condolence
Sunday, June 15, 2025
I have many, many, many fond memories of Prof Byrant, a.k.a Deeb, a.k.a. Yeti. But one I keep coming back to was one day in India, he had received a letter from Lucas. And he read it aloud to us smilingly. This episode eventually led to a sermon I wrote for my Church about the profound theological impact that Prof Bryant had upon me inspired by his unfailing openness, his indelible capacity to simply sit joyfully with mysterium tremendum, his aversion for the petty fear-based disjunctive religiosities (though normally a paragon of tolerance, Darrol sometimes failed to suffer self-righteous fundamentalists fools gladly: many of us on the first India trip watched in admiration and horror as he dressed down a Christian Evangelist who had come to Dharmsala to "save the poor hell-bound souls" of Tibetan Buddhists) and his propensity towards conjunctive religiosities. Put more simply: Professor Bryant taught me that and>or.
Here is the beginning of that sermon and my loving hommage to a very much appreciated mentor:
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I had a beloved Religious Studies Professor whose atheist son asked him why, having studied religion all his life, and seen the absolute worst of it, he persisted he persisted in believing in God. M. Darrol Bryant replied, in his inimitable way:
“Well, son. On one hand, you have your universe, the world, your existence of physical phenomena, matter, molecules, atoms, what have you. And on the other hand, you've got dancing. And in between.... there is all of this!!!!" With this, he was grinning and gesticulating circular tight patterns in the air with both hands,
Now, I might forgive you for not finding this particular argument for the existence of God especially convincing. You are Mennonites, after all. And bless our Mennonite hearts, we of European Mennonite stock have traditionally overlooked the evidenciary value of dancing. All value of dancing. But Prof. Bryant did not overlook the value of dancing.
If, on the other hand, you are like me and this cryptic argument DID resonate with you, then I think it might be because it speaks to loving God with all of your soul. And you, my friend, may have a penchant for the mystical.
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Suzanne Houser donated to Renison University College
Thursday, June 12, 2025
My sincere condolences. Darrol made such an impact on me as a student during my time at Renison College (1997-2001) and I was so deeply blessed to be part of his inaugural semester abroad in India in the fall of 2000. We kept in touch over the years, including a couple visits at the college while he was still teaching, and I loved hearing about what he was up to. I will forever be grateful that I got to be in Darrol's orbit during such a formative time of my life, and I look forward to attending his commemoration of life on June 16th.
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Sheryl Stoll donated to Renison University College
Friday, April 4, 2025
I was so fortunate along with members of my family to meet Darrol and Lucas on that wonderful Viking cruise. I only wish we had had more time to get to know him and hear more about Darrol's incredible life and the numerous lives he touched. In such a short time he impacted my own life in a most positive way that only I can understand, and I will be forever grateful to have met him. I know he will be greatly missed and my love and condolences go out to his family.
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Shiv Talwar posted a condolence
Wednesday, March 26, 2025
To Susan and the Bryant Family,
The board of directors and I at Spiritual Heritage Education Network are sad to learn about Darrol’s passing. He served gratis on our board for a number of years, contributing wholeheartedly his knowledge and talents to the cause of education in the spiritual heritage of humanity to unify the human family. We miss him. To me, he was a dear and kind friend.
We send you and the family our sincere condolences.
Shiv Talwar
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Dorothea Coskun uploaded photo(s)
Sunday, March 23, 2025
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Dear Susan and family, we are very sad to learn about Darrol's passing. We very fondly remember long afternoons spent together in your cozy house in Elmira, Darrol playing hoops and canoeing with the kids, intense Scrabble games and inspiring conversations, all packed around your table for pancakes and maple syrup. He will be greatly missed by all of us.
Feel hugged by the Coskun family
Dorothea & Altay Coskun with Luisa, Leander, Lilly and Leo (Waterloo)
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R Ormson posted a condolence
Sunday, March 23, 2025
Susan, and family, we are so very sorry to learn about Darrol’s passing. He was such an admirable man. Please know that we are thinking about you during this very tough time. Hang in there.
Sincere condolences,
Ron & Terri
Elmira
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Anne DeBeer donated to Renison University College
Friday, March 21, 2025
Dear Hodges and Bryant family,
I went to high school and college with Susan and shared a dorm room with her our Junior Year at St. Michael's College. She is an amazing woman, and her love of Darrol was evident as we zoomed every month with other St. Mike's girls over the last few years. My sympathy goes out to your families and Susan at the loss of an amazing man. With prayers, Anne DeBeer
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Matthew Kieswetter posted a condolence
Wednesday, March 19, 2025
I was blessed to take several courses with Dr. Bryant during my time at Renison in the early 2000s. He helped to expand my perspectives, while remaining rooted in my own tradition.
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Bruce and Barb Finn donated to Renison University College
Monday, March 17, 2025
Our sincere condolences to the Bryant family from the Finn family of James Street., Elmira.
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Lois & Brian Clifford donated to Renison University College
Wednesday, March 12, 2025
Dear Susan and family,
My sincere condolences in your loss of Darrol. During my time at Renison, and in the years following, I always appreciated his wisdom, kindness, and the expression of his faith. May God comfort you and give you His peace.
Blessings,
Lois Clifford
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Roger Roth posted a condolence
Monday, March 10, 2025
Darrol Bryant was a very good friend of mine
Over the past fifty-three years
We laughed together, we played together
We walked together, we talked together
Our families were intertwined
Our lives were intertwined
Darrol’s mission in life was to create dialogue and understanding
among the world’s many religions through kindness and inclusivity
His intent was further propagated through his teachings, writings and actions
Now his angles will sing his praises and carry his words forward
Mountain top to mountain top
Peace in the valley my dear friend
Condolences to Susan and family
Roger Roth
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Clint Rohr posted a condolence
Saturday, March 8, 2025
Dear Susan and family
We both celebrate and grieve the loss of you partner, parent, grandparent and friend extra ordinarily. Darrol was so gifted and special in purposeful ways that touched all of us in his unique way. The whole of creation mourns this loss as well as celebrates his life. He will rest in peace.
Love, Sandra and Clint Rohr
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Rev. Felicia Urbanski posted a condolence
Thursday, March 6, 2025
I send my deep condolences to Darrol's family. I met Darrol while attending meetings of Interfaith Grand River, where I remember his many words of wisdom. I always learned something profound from him when he spoke. My hope is that we will all continue to live out his vision of true interfaith dialogue and understanding.
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Martin Timmerman posted a condolence
Thursday, March 6, 2025
I'm sorry to hear of Darrol's passing. I remember fondly the many games of basketball we played together. My sincere condolences to Darrol's family.
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Tom Brenner posted a condolence
Thursday, March 6, 2025
Susan, sorry to learn of Darrol's passing. He was truly one of the good guys. As a dear friend of mine once said of a person like Darrol, "if he lived forever it would not be long enough." In addition to being an accomplished scholar, an inspirational teacher and a leader on interfaith dialogue, he was a wise, kind and generous friend to many. Me among them. Susan, my thoughts are with you and with your family.
Sincerely,
Tom Brenner
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Cara Pelletier uploaded photo(s)
Wednesday, March 5, 2025
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Here we are during my more recent visits with them in Waterloo.
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Terry Franco lit a candle
Wednesday, March 5, 2025
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Richelle Hirlehey lit a candle
Wednesday, March 5, 2025
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My deepest condolences to the family! We lived nearby the Bryants and I grew up with Lucas. Fond memories of visits to their home, hearing about travels, playing kick the can and many great nights of Darrol’s storytelling. Sending my love to all of the family.
Richelle (Raven) Hirlehey (nee Brown)
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Gail Cuthbert Brandt posted a condolence
Tuesday, March 4, 2025
I was deeply saddened to learn of Darrol's passing. He was an extraordinary man, well loved and respected by all who knew him. His many contributions to Renison University College as a scholar, teacher, mentor, and administrator for over five decades shaped the institution and its members. I greatly valued his friendship and support, his good humour and his collegiality. Deepest condolences to Susan and the Bryant family.
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Cara Pelletier uploaded photo(s)
Tuesday, March 4, 2025
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There are no words to express the loss that this world is experiencing now that Darrol has passed. Neither is there a way to measure the amount of blessing this world has received by his presence. He was - and remains - one of the most powerful souls who always worked for goodness and enlightenment. I’m glad to have been able to visit him and Susan in the last few years. I was part of his first travel class to India, in 2000. It changed my life utterly and I have him to thank. Travel on, dear Darrol, with our love.
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Joanne Passmore posted a condolence
Tuesday, March 4, 2025
My deepest sympathy to Susan and family in the passing of Darrol, a kind, gentle, esteemed academic and all round lovely man.
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Amy Burke donated to Renison University College
Tuesday, March 4, 2025
Dear Susan and family, Darrol was such a kind man. He will be missed by everyone who knew him. Larry and I were very lucky we got to know Darrol many years ago and enjoyed his company whenever we had a chance to see him. My thoughts are with you at this difficult time.
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Barbara Checketts donated to Renison University College
Monday, March 3, 2025
With heartfelt sympathy to Susan and all the family. It was my privilege to know Darrol and to work with him at Renison, and to travel to India with him and Susan and Renison students. An unforgettable experience! He will be greatly missed by many but will not be forgotten.
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The family of M. Darrol Bryant uploaded a photo
Monday, March 3, 2025
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Monday
16
June
Memorial Service
11:00 am
Monday, June 16, 2025
Parkminster United Church
275 Erb Street East
Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
Monday
16
June
Reception
12:30 pm
Monday, June 16, 2025
Renison University College
240 Westmount Rd N.
Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
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