DEAN, Alexander Ross, Rev, B.A. B.D. (1903-1945)
Assembly memorial minute, 1946
With the early death of Ross Dean, our Church has lost the services of a young minister of singular promise. He was born in Bendigo on December 27th, 1903, the son of devoted Presbyterian parents. His education began in his own home, whence he went to the Gravel Hill State School, and later to the Bendigo High School. An important element in his unconscious preparation for the ministry was a term of service in the Bank of Australasia, and afterwards with the firm of James Balfour and Co. Pty. Ltd. He then decided to enter the ministry, and in 1926 (at the age of 23 years) he was accepted as a candidate.
He did Home Mission work at Whitfield and Brimpaen. His early theological studies were done under the guidance of the Rev. E.E. Baldwin of St. Andrew’s Training College. He then went into residence at Ormond College, and did the Arts Course at the University of Melbourne (1926-30), where he graduated Bachelor of Arts. In 1931-33 he did the Theological Course at Ormond College. To make his preparation more complete, he studied for and obtained the degree of Bachelor of Divinity. His first Charge was that of Strathalbyn, South Australia, where, on May 2nd, 1934, he was ordained and inducted.
Three months later he married Miss Lorie Jenkins, daughter of Mr. A.J. Jenkins, a leading citizen and councillor of Mildura, and an elder in the Mildura Presbyterian Church. In her he had a splendid helpmeet for his work, one who for years had been a devoted Church worker, and who was also a qualified chemist. Their work in South Australia covered a period of five years, years crowded with manifold activities. Inevitably much of the General Committee work of the Church fell upon his shoulders. He was Moderator of the General Assembly of South Australia, and Clerk of the Presbytery of Onkaparinga from 1935 to 1939.
Of his ministry in Strathalbyn an elder has written: “From the very beginning he brought to St. Andrew’s a brilliant pulpit message which inspired and uplifted the souls of all who heard; he brought also an intense personal interest in all his people, which found expression in countless deeds of a Samaritan-like nature. ” He was translated to the Charge of Shepparton, Victoria, on July 12th, 1939, where he began a vigorous and hopeful ministry.
He had done Chaplaincy work in South Australia, and on the outbreak of war became an A.I.F. Chaplain at Shepparton, and did fine work, never sparing himself. “He was, ” said Major E.J. Rule, “one of God’s good men. ” Being called for overseas service (January, 1941), he resigned his Charge of Shepparton on March 31st, 1941, and sailed on April 10th. He was at the Convalescent Depot, Malaya. It is believed that he became a prisoner of war with the Japanese in 1942 and died in a prisoner of war camp, perhaps in 1945.
Ross Dean’s personality and work excited the most favourable hopes in the mind of the Church. He was a man of vigorous mentality, loving his fellow-students and fellow-men, and keenly interested in all current questions. His religious convictions were the result of personal spiritual experience and reasoned thinking. Of his life in Ormond College, a fellow- student writes: “Although a keen student, he entered also very fully into the life of the College, and endeared himself to ail who knew him. By his strong personality he made friends, and wielded a large influence in the lives of many. The maturity as well as the strength of his character made him a guide, philosopher and friend to many students in various professions. ” To this may be added that he was gifted with a fine sense of humour, was loved by the soldiers, was loved by his people, and had a vigorous hatred of all shams.
The Assembly mourns his loss, and tenders its sincere sympathy to his widow and their three children. “Your labour is not vain in the Lord, ” said Paul.
Gender
- Male