Obituary of Rev. Dr. Robert D. McAmis

McAmis, TH.D

Rev. Dr. Robert D. McAmis, 94, of Coral Springs, Florida passed away Friday, September 21, 2018. Born in Chattanooga, TN. Loving son of the late Vada Kimmel McAmis and the late Adam Day McAmis. Beloved husband of Patrona Abao McAmis. Devoted father of Marsha Lynn Castino, Beverly Joyce Jacks, Deana Day Trowbridge and the late Sheryl June Stapleton. Grandfather to Shane, Joshua, the late Ryan, Traci, Anna, Abigail, Jonathan, Madison, Hayden, Adam and Erin. Brother to Charlotte LeVan, the late Kenneth Day McAmis and the late Edna Frank. Uncle of Alex Tavera, Gemma Tavera and Abito Mandang "Cirila," Robert, Bryan, Patricia, Patrick Mandang, Raymond, Rick, Roy Tabil Ronnie Magdua. First cousin to Edwin McAmis. Brother In Law of Nicolasa Abao Mandang, Virgilio Abao and Leonora "Percival" Tabil. Special friend of Louri Powell "Tom," Dr. Alagadan, Dr. Escalante and a friend to many. Visitation will be on Saturday, September 29, 2018 from 2:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M.Evening Service and Remembrances 7:00 P.M. - 9:00 P.M. Burial will take place at the Philippines. Arrangements by Joseph A. Scarano Stirling Memorial Chapel 6300 Stirling Road, Davie, Florida 33314.

The Reverend Doctor Robert Day McAmis passed away peacefully at home on September 21, 2018 in Coral Springs, Florida one day before his 95^th birthday. The Services will be held at the Joseph A. Scarano Stirling Memorial Chapel, 6300 Stirling Road, Davie, Florida 33314 on Saturday, September 29, 2018 from 2:00 pm to 9:00 pm. The Service at 4pm. Prayers and Remembrances 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm. All arrangements made by Joseph A. Scarano Funeral Home. Bob was born in Chattanooga,TN at his family home above the family’s Florist shop.  He was the third child of Adam Day and Vada McAmis.  He graduated from the McCallie School in 1941 and then joined the Merchant Marines.  He was stationed and worked in Norfolk, Virginia building ships for the Navy during WWII.  He also drew illustrations and instructions for the manuals used by the facility. After the war, he returned to Chattanooga to work at Day McAmis Florist.  During a spring vacation in Daytona Beach, Florida he met Bobbie June Peace, also was from Chattanooga.  Bobbie June invited him to First Lutheran Church where he was confirmed. It was during his confirmation classes with Pastor Jahn that Bob felt called to be a missionary to the Muslim people of the world. Bob and Bobbie were married in 1948. Bob attended Concordia Theological Seminary in Springfield, IL.  He graduated in 1954 at the top of his class and was awarded a scholarship and attended Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri for one year.  In 1955 he was commissioned to the Philippines (unable to get a visa to serve in the Muslim area) with his family. 

            Rev. McAmis served churches in Mindanao, in the southern Philippines. This included serving in Cagayan de Oro City, starting a church in Butuan City, and serving at Iligan City.  Finally, in 1962, Bob’s dream of serving the Muslims came true and he moved his family to a small Muslim village in Linuk, Tamparan, Lanao del Sur. He spent over 20 years there, doing Bible translation into the local Maranao dialect and recording weekly radio programs. The radio program, “Call of the Agong”, was started to try and help improve Christian-Muslim relations. In spite of dangers and uprisings in this area, Bob was not fearful and continued to stay in Lanao.

            Dr. McAmis was preceded in death by his parents, Adam Day and Vada Kimmel McAmis; first wife Bobbie June Peace McAmis; siblings-Edna McAmis Frank and Kenneth Day McAmis; youngest daughter-Sheryl June McAmis Jahn Stapleton; grandson-Ryan McAmis Ruth.

            He is survived by his wife Patrona Abao McAmis, sister Charlotte (McAmis) Levan, three daughters-Marsha (Rey) Castino, Vancouver, WA; Beverly(Joe) Jacks, Chattanooga, TN; Deana Trowbridge, Rosarita, Mexico; Grandchildren-Shane Ruth, , Joshua (Christine) Ruth, Traci (Kurt) Vanderzanden, Anna (Michael) Ovitt, Abigail (John)Thompson, Jonathan Castino, Adam (Molly) Trowbridge, Erin and David Trowbridge, Madison (John) Templeton, Hayden Jahn, Karen (Dana) Nixon. Great-grandchildren- Anthony Heaton; Payton Ruth-Rochon and Jillian Ruth; Gavin Ruth; Emma, Grace and Micah Thompson; Cara and Ella Ovitt;  Harvey Templeton;  Samantha, Matthew and Jaime Nixon. In-laws - Nicolasa Abao Mandang, Virgilio Abao, Leonora "Percival" Tabil, and a Friend to many.