Dr. Lincoln Stevens, Professor of Philosophy at Mount Vernon Nazarene University and father of Asia-Pacific missionary Dr. Katherine Radcliffe, passed away on September 26, 2020. Dr. Stevens had recently been diagnosed with cancer. He was 69 years old.
Dr. Stevens was born in Pittsburg, Kansas, the USA on October 14, 1950. He studied philosophy at Asbury College from 1968-1972. At the Asbury revival in 1970, he experienced the power of the Lord in his life, and this experience was vital for his life as a husband, father, and educator. In 1974 he married his wife Betsy. After completing his undergraduate degree, he pursued his Master’s degree in Philosophy at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland, and his Ph.D. at Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio, USA. He began teaching at Mount Vernon Nazarene University in 1977 and affected the lives of countless students through his 43 years of teaching philosophy.
On the MVNU Facebook page, university president Dr. Henry W. Spaulding said this about the life of Dr. Stevens: “Dr. Stevens believed that a philosopher needed to probe the mind with penetrating questions and thoughtful arguments. He gave special attention to guiding students to a deeper understanding. He served with distinction in this role, training and mentoring generations of young philosophers who teach around the country. Several years ago, many of them returned to MVNU to celebrate his influence on a day named ‘Thinkin with Lincoln.’ The love and deep appreciation of his former students filled the room. The day ended with Lincoln’s response to his students that was both intellectually stimulating and deeply moving.”
He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth “Betsy” (Jarvis) Stevens; children, Sarah (David) Lehman and daughter Lola of Charlottesville, VA, Adam Stevens and children Micah, Jonah, and Lydia of Boardman, OH, Peter Stevens of Mt. Vernon, OH, and Katherine (Ben) Radcliffe and children Simeon, Matthias, Tabea, Naomi, and Luka of Kudjip, Papua New Guinea; siblings, John (Jan) Stevens of Windsor, CT, Rozelle (Steve) Rumford of Macon, GA, Mary (Barney) Cochran of Mt. Vernon, OH, Delano (Kristen) Stevens of Franklin, TN, and Jane (Dan) Andrus of Centennial, CO.
This obituary was adapted by the official one written by the Snyder Funeral Home in Mount Vernon, Ohio, USA. It also includes a quote from Dr. Henry Spaulding from the Mount Vernon Nazarene University Facebook page.
