The Rev. Robert Lambuth Archibald Jr., better known to United Methodist congregations across North Alabama as “Brother Bob,” died early Saturday in Decatur after a long illness. He was 83. Brother Bob was an ordained Methodist minister for almost six decades, serving as senior pastor of First United Methodist Church of Decatur, First United Methodist Church of Huntsville, East Lake United Methodist in Birmingham, and other congregations in Alabaster, Huntsville, Jacksonville and elsewhere.
He started Birmingham’s Grace United Methodist when the congregation met in tents. Each Sunday – little did the congregation know – he rose early to clear black widow spiders from beneath the seats.
He served two stints on the Cabinet of the North Alabama conference, as district superintendent of the Decatur and Tuscaloosa districts.
While he achieved success and recognition as a preacher, he was best known as a pastor who cared about the people in his congregations. He brought joy with his big crooked smile, bouncing on his toes during the singing of hymns – especially those of Charles Wesley. He smiled bigger, and sang louder, than anyone else in church. Especially during the Methodist staple “Oh, for a Thousand Tongues to Sing.”
Brother Bob didn’t just love being a preacher. He loved the Church.
He followed in his father’s footsteps, in his grandfather’s path before him, to become a Methodist minister. He graduated from Birmingham-Southern College and received his divinity degree from Emory University. He later received an honorary doctorate from Huntingdon College, where he served on the board of trustees.
It was while at Emory that he met Mary Holland, a student at Agnes Scott College. The two were married and lived a lifetime together, raising four children and loving them no matter what.
Brother Bob was an Eagle Scout and a longtime scoutmaster who loved nature. He was an avid birdwatcher and camper who showed his children the country – identifying plants and birds along the way – in a big blue canvas tent.
After retirement from the church, he volunteered at the Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge in Decatur. Long after he suffered his first debilitating stroke he welcomed visitors to Wheeler. He could not always make his mouth form the words of welcome, but his smile said it all.
His advice in life, to his children, his scouts, his campers, his congregation and the children who flocked to him for post-sermon candy, was much the same:
Leave your campsite cleaner than you found it; Leave your neighborhood, your community, your city, more joyful than you found it; Let the world be better because you were there.
He practiced what he preached. And he will be missed.
Survivors include his wife, Mary Holland Archibald; sister, Mary Alyce Mize of Northport; son, Murray (Steve Elkins) of Rehoboth Beach, Del.; daughter, Mary Beth Ramsey (Bob) of Washington, D.C.; son, Mark Archibald (Sally) of Grove City, Pa.; and son, John Archibald (Alecia) of Birmingham. He leaves eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren who love him dearly.
Visitation will be held Monday from 5 to 7 p.m. at Roselawn Funeral Home in Decatur. Funeral services will be held Tuesday at noon at First United Methodist Church in Decatur with the Rev. Sandra Locke-Godbey presiding. Burial will follow at 3:30 p.m. in Elmwood Cemetery in Birmingham.
