Passions: Archaeology, geology, Jesus

The Cincinnati Enquirer, July 7, 2004

By Rebecca Goodman
 - Enquirer staff writer

INDEPENDENCE - Reuben G. Bullard Sr., an internationally known archaeological geologist and Christian scholar who taught at Cincinnati Bible College and Seminary and at the University of Cincinnati, died Saturday afternoon at his home here. He was 76.

"This field of archaeological geology is one that is relatively new," said UC professor of geology David Meyer. "Archaeologists are using more information about the rocks that are found at archaeological sites - determining how ancient people used stones in their cultures. He was one of the pioneers of the field." Dr. Bullard worked on numerous excavations in Israel, Cyprus, Tunisia, Egypt, Jordan, Greece and Italy. "As an archaeological geologist, his role would be to identify and interpret the environment in which a society, a culture, a city was located," said his son, Reuben "Rick" Bullard Jr. of Fort Thomas. That might involve the identification of quarries that were used to build walls or streets, or identifying the clay resources of the important ceramic industries.

"He would help unravel the complexities of the stratigraphy - or layers - within an archaeological context, helping the archaeologist properly interpret them," his son said. Dr. Bullard's first project was at Tell Gezer, Israel, a site halfway between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv that has been occupied since prehistoric times. There, he worked with Nelson Glueck, former president of Hebrew Union College, and George Ernst Wright, former head of Semitic studies at Harvard University (both deceased).

Born in Wheeling, W.Va., Dr. Bullard moved to Mitchell, Ind., before his senior year in high school. He moved to Greater Cincinnati in his early 20s to study at Cincinnati Bible College. "Geology was his great love," his son said. "He felt that this was the point that Bible history and science met. He could combine all of these things together - passion of history and science and a committed life to the Lord."

From Cincinnati Bible College and Seminary, Dr. Bullard received a bachelor's degree in theology and ancient Near East history, a master's degree in historical geography and a bachelor's degree in intertestamental studies. From the University of Cincinnati, he received a bachelor's degree in classics, a master's degree in the philosophy of geology, and a doctorate in geology. He taught history, science and archaeology at Cincinnati Bible College from 1961 until 2001. He was in his 37th year teaching geology night classes at UC. "He was a gentle man - a compassionate man - always looking for the beauty in creation," his son said.

In addition to his son Rick, survivors include his wife of 48 years, Lynn Maine Bullard; another son, Howard Bullard of Rushville, Ind.; two daughters, Cathy Bullard Morgret of Rome, Ohio, and Suzanne Bullard Prichard of Brandon, Fla.; a brother, Richard L. Bullard of Delhi Township; and six grandchildren.

Reuben George Bullard, Sr. (1928 – 2004)

Ohio Journal Of Science (2005), vol. 105, Issue. 5, p. 144-145

Reuben George Bullard, Sr., age 76, professor of archaeology and geography at Cincinnati Christian University and adjunct professor at the University of Cincinnati in Cincinnati, OH, died 3 July 2004 at his home in Independence, KY. A pioneer in the field of archaeological geology, Bullard established the chronology of events at sites in the Mediterranean basin. His work coincides with the chronology of these sites within the narrative of the Bible. Bullard joined The Ohio Academy of Science 7 November 1986, affiliating with Section General Interest in Science. Born 18 March 1928 in Wheeling, WV, Reuben George Bullard, Sr., was the son of Reuben George and Vada Bullard. By rights the appellation "Sr." belonged to the father, but his early death left the appellation free to devolve to Reuben Bullard, Sr., on the birth of his son, Reuben Bullard, Jr. In 1947 Reuben Bullard, Sr., received a diploma from Mitchell High School in Mitchell, IN; in 1956 a B.A. and in 1958 an M.A. in historical geography from Cincinnati Bible Seminary (now Cincinnati Christian University); in 1961 a B.A. in classics, in 1964 an M.S. in geology, and in 1969 a Ph.D. in geology from the University of Cincinnati. His M.S. and Ph.D. theses were entitled "The Philosophy of Geology" (1964) and "The Geology of Tell Gezer and Its Environs" (1969), respectively. While a graduate student he held the Fenneman Fellowship. In 1961 Bullard began teaching at Cincinnati Bible Seminary and was assistant professor at the University of Cincinnati (1969-1974). Although the novelty of his research prevented his receiving tenure, Bullard was later promoted to professor at Cincinnati Bible Seminary and adjunct professor at the University of Cincinnati. He taught ancient history, geology, archaeology, historical geography, a course on the relationship between science and Christianity, and courses on the Bible at Cincinnati Bible Seminary, and geology and geography at the University of Cincinnati. Bullard was chairman of Arts and Sciences at Cincinnati Bible Seminary. His work in archaeological geology centered on pre-Roman and Roman antiquity. His principal research was at Tell Gezer, Israel, though he also conducted research in Libya, Cyprus, Tunisia, Egypt, Jordan, Greece, and Italy. "Archaeologists are using more information about the rocks that are found at archaeological sites, determining how ancient people used stones in their cultures," University of Cincinnati geology professor David Meyer told the Cincinnati Enquirer. "He [Reuben Bullard] was one of the pioneers of the field." Bullard identified the quarries from which ancient people took stones and the clay deposits for the crafting of pottery. He used stratigraphy to establish the chronology of events at ancient sites. His collaborators included Nelson Glueck, former president of Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati, OH, and George Ernst Wright, former head of Semitic studies at Harvard University in Cambridge, MA. "Geology was his great love," Reuben Bullard, Jr., told the Cincinnati Enquirer. "He felt that this was the point that Bible history and science met. He could combine all these things together: passion for history and science and a committed life to the Lord." In addition to being a member of The Ohio Academy of Science, Dr. Bullard was a founding member in the 1970s of the Archaeological Geology section of the Geological Society of America. He was also a member of the American School of Oriental Research and about 1980 was president of the Cincinnati chapter of the Archeology Institute of America. His interests included photography, backpacking, traveling, and reading. Trained as a classical pianist, Bullard had been a music student at Indiana University in Bloomington, IN. His wife Lynn Yvonne Bullard survives, the two having married 28 May 1956 in Fallonsbee, WV. Surviving also are sons Reuben George Bullard, Jr., of Independence, KY, and Howard Arthur Bullard of Rushville, IN; daughters Catherine Louise (Bullard) Morgret of East Liverpool, OH, and Suzanne Lynn (Bullard) Prichard of Tampa, FL; brother Richard L. Bullard of Delhi Township, KY; and six grandchildren. The family held visiting hours 7 July 2004 followed by a funeral service at Nicholson Christian Church in Independence, KY, and a memorial service 31 March 2005 at Cincinnati Christian University. Bullard was buried 7 July 2004 at Independence Cemetery in Independence.

Christopher Cumo