In August 2008 Ted was admitted to hospital for some routine exploratory surgery and was subsequently diagnosed with cancer. The cancer progressed much more quickly than anyone anticipated, and by the time the new academic year began it seemed likely that Ted might only have a few weeks to live, however just before midnight on 29th September 2008 Ted passed away.
What was clear to everyone who came in contact with Ted throughout this period was the depth of his faith, the peace which came from God, and the grace and humour which were so much part of Ted’s character.
On Thursday 30th October at 2:30pm ICC will host a celebration of Ted's life at the Barony Hall (part of the University of Strathclyde)
Dr Ted Herbert's life is a cause for celebration and it is right that in a centre of learning we should celebrate this remarkable life.
I met Ted only once, at the international congress of the Society of Biblical Literature in Cambridge in 2002, where I gave a paper on 4QSam-a, the Dead Sea scroll of Samuel that Ted revealed to the world with his epochal Reconstructing Biblical Dead Sea Scrolls, Brill, 1997. He had come down from Glasgow just to meet me, who plagiarized much of his work for my own humble The Samuel Scroll from Qumran, Brill, 2001. He was very helpful in explaining my options for graduate work at ICC, and I got so involved in conversation with him that I missed my plane back to New York and ended up on a later flight which dropped me in Newark in the midlle of the night, far from my car, which was parked at Kennedy airport on Long Island! I've spent the last five years trying fruitlessly to get Ted back to work on 4QSam-a, to finish his initial work which limited itself to 2 Samuel, where most of the fragments are concentrated. But his dedication to the work at ICC prevented him from taking up the gauntlet. (The work on the scroll is complicated and time-consuming.) I now feel an obligation to finish the work that he so admirably began.
Andrew Fincke 1 July, 2009
Shocked to hear about Ted. In our part of the vineyard we call it 'promoted to Glory' and its certainly fitting in Ted's case. Ted was instrumental in bringing the Old Testament alive to me. I remember his lecures vividly, as well as his passion and enthusiam, not only for the written word, but for the Living Word. Oh...and who can forget the Hebrew Alphabet rap?!? A great loss to ICC, I'm sure, but our loss is Ted's gain. Love and prayers to all who knew him well. Andrew
Andrew Clark 23 June, 2009
Ted was an inspiration to many. His joy in OT studies was infectious and he brought light and laughter into many of his student's lives. I remember him as a keenly intelligent and caring man, very understanding and supportive. I'm sure the sorrow and loss that I feel at discovering the news of his passing is more keenly felt by his family, whom I will remember in my prayers, and by the academic world. He will be missed by so many, but what a joyous meeting in heaven it will be.
Denise Perry 3 April, 2009
I've just found out about Ted's passing plus watched his message to his student on Youtube and read a transcript. Great tributes to a humble person. I often sat next to Ted in Spurgeons College Library, he was a lovely christian gentleman destined to bless many. My belated condolenses to his family
Dave Ellis 18 December, 2008
I am deeply sorry to discover that Dr. Ted Herbert has died. I have only just came across the news on the College's website while I was searching for Ted's telephone number. Last night a brief thought came into my head, of discussing my plans for next year with Dr. Herbert. I am shocked. I have just started to get back to my routine after a hard time of bereavement over the loss of my dear Mother-in-law who went to be with the Lord only two weeks ago. I shall never forget the warm and caring heart of Dr. Ted Herbert and his encouragements. I pray that the Lord will bless and comfort Dr. Herbert's family. Love in Jesus. Tegegn
Tegegn Bayissa 9 December, 2008
