The Rev. Michael Randolph Dead at 71

The Rev. Michael Randolph

The Rev. Michael Randolph, who served as interim rector at St. Paul’s between the tenures of Bill Pickering and Bob Banse, died at age 71 this morning in St. Louis. Information about the dramatic and well-liked Fr. Randolph can be found on the Diocese of Missouri Web site.

I don’t think anyone ever fell asleep during one of Michael’s sermons. He brought an excitement to worship services that has seldom been equaled at St. Paul’s.

I wrote a poem for Michael when it seemed that he was suspended between this world and the next. You can read my poem and, perhaps more importantly, my modest little essay about Michael, here.

Rest eternal grant to him, O Lord;
And let light perpetual shine upon him.
May his soul, and the souls of all the departed,
through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.