Patte, professor of religious studies, emeritus, has died
Daniel Patte, professor of religious studies, emeritus, died on September 2, 2024, in Nashville. He was 85.
Patte was an internationally acclaimed biblical scholar and teacher, with a focus on the ethics of biblical interpretation and an emphasis on the contextual character of any interpretation of the Bible.
He received a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from the Université Grenoble Alpes in Grenoble, France, and a bachelor’s degree in theology from the Faculté de Théologie Protestante in Montpellier, France, where he met his wife, Aline Teitelbaum. He received a master’s degree in theology from the University of Geneva in Switzerland and a doctorate degree in theology from the Jewish Christian Center at Chicago Theological Seminary.
He worked at the Reformed Church of Meyrin in Geneva for a year as an assistant minister before beginning his teaching career in 1964 at the Collége Hammar in Dolisie in the Republic of Congo. He also taught at Syracuse University before joining Vanderbilt in 1971 as a professor of religious studies.
Patte taught at Vanderbilt until 2013, serving as chair of the department from 1977 to 1992, and again from 1995 to 1998. He became professor emeritus in 2013, after which he continued to mentor students from the Vanderbilt Graduate Department of Religion and wrote his last book, Scholars Reading Romans 1 with Daniel Patte.
Patte helped create the new field of semiotics, applied to the study of the New Testament. He produced two major encyclopedias, 13 monographs, 13 edited or special issue journal volumes, and nearly 200 articles, book chapters, and encyclopedia entries in peer-reviewed publications. He mentored and taught students who went on to be professors, preachers, deans, writers, and leaders of church denominations.
“Daniel was already a senior scholar in religious studies when I arrived at Vanderbilt in 2003, and I was delighted to have him as a colleague,” said Richard McGregor, chair of the Department of Religious Studies and professor of religious studies. “First, he was one of the editors of the theory journal Semeia, which as a graduate student I knew well. Second, he and I could hold conversations in French, which was always the high point of my day. Daniel was also a good mentor to me and other junior faculty. He was quick to share his excitement for the latest article he was writing, as well as being a supportive colleague, who listened patiently to my scattered ramblings. He knew well that creative scholarship takes time, reflection, and community. Daniel was always building community.”
Patte is survived by his wife of 64 years, Aline; daughter Murielle and son-in-law Dave; son David and daughter-in-law Elizabeth; and daughter Chantal and son-in-law Devin; as well as five grandchildren—Lauren, Ben, Danny, Alexandra, and Nicolette—and six great-grandchildren—Isla, Gracie, Judah, Eden, Ivan, and Juniper. Patte is also survived by three sisters and one brother who all live in France.
A memorial service was held at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Nashville on Saturday, October 26.