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Episcopal News Service. February 8, 1996 [96-1385A]

The Very Rev. Dillard Robinson, III, retired dean and rector of the Diocese of Newark's Trinity Cathedral, died on January 16. He served as deputy of the General Convention, president of the Diocese of Newark's Standing Committee and on the Executive Council of the Episcopal Church. He was the first African-American Dean in the United States and the founder of St. Phillip's Academy in Newark, New Jersey.

The Rt. Rev. Stanley Hamilton Atkins, retired bishop of the Diocese of Eau Claire, died on January 6. After serving as bishop of Eau Claire from 1970 to 1980, he acted as interim dean of Nashotah House Seminary until 1985. "He was the right person for the job," said current dean Gary Kriss. "He was reserved, a quiet, gentle man. He was a very strong leader in a quiet way."

Dr. Jean Sindab, director for environmental and economic justice/hunger concerns for the National Council of Churches (NCC), died on January 8. She served as executive secretary of the World Council of Churches' (WCC) program to combat racism from 1986 to 1991. Joan Campbell, the NCC's general secretary, described Sindab as "a brilliant woman [who] gave her life for freedom and justice. She brought a joy of life and optimism rooted in her Christian faith to every setting. She believed people would learn to live together and to love one another."

The Rt. Rev. Charles L. Keyser, bishop for the Armed Forces, was recently elected chairperson of the Endorser Conference for Veterans Affairs Chaplaincy (ECVAC). ECVAC is an organization of representatives from the faith communities that endorse clergy for service as chaplains in the hospitals and medical centers of the Department of Veterans Affairs.