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Brenton Stacey
Public relations officer

Dr Eric Magnusson's personal traits rather than his academic achievements featured in eulogies at the former principal's memorial service in Avondale College Seventh-day Adventist Church on Sunday (September 6).

Son Roger spoke of Eric's "relentless decency." Roger's younger brother, Tony, described his father as "a man of humanist principles" who "never judged others, even as they judged him." Friend Dr Trevor Lloyd listed the loves of Eric's life, including a love for "truth and honesty."

Several of those sharing memories referred to the way Eric managed this tension between faith and science. Dr Lynden Rogers, dean of the Faculty of Science and Mathematics at Avondale, described his former lecturer as "habitually looking further ahead than most."

Others noted Eric's influence as principal of Avondale (1971-1980) as the college sought accreditation for its courses. "He understood the intricacies and language of the academic world, but with a vision that could combine the time-honoured ideals of Adventist higher education with the academic realities needed," said Dr Bruce Manners during the reading of the life sketch. Bruce, now senior minister of the college church, served as minister at the Magnusson's local church in Canberra for four years. "Our debt of gratitude can never be paid and should never be forgotten."

Eric, born into a minister's family in Townsville, Queensland, in 1933, spent the first 16 years of his life traversing the length and breadth of eastern Australia. Then, in 1950, principal Dr William Murdoch encouraged Eric and two other teenagers, Laurie Draper and Ken Thomson, to study at the then Australasian Missionary College. They became the first Avondale students to graduate with a Bachelor of Science, completing the degree through the University of London. "Eric's ambition was to put the Australasian Missionary College on the map academically," said Laurie during the service. "That seemed arrogant coming from a mere teenager, but as the years passed, I have recalled those words many times."

Eric earned two PhDs in science, one in Sydney and one in London, after completing compulsory national service. He then accepted a teaching position at the college (1961-1963) and moved into the new Science Department (1963-1968) of which he became chair (1968-1970). After his tenure at Avondale, Eric returned to research and teaching, first at the Australian National University and then at the Australian Defence Force Academy, where he retired as associate professor and continued to serve as a visiting fellow.

"He was passionate about education but humble about his own achievements," said Roger during the service. He remembered Eric marching during the processional at an Avondale graduation ceremony in the 1970s, one man in a suit surrounded by flowing gowns and silly hats.

Dr Norm Young, a former senior lecturer in the Faculty of Theology, presented the homily "as a mourner not as a clergy, so this is going to be tough." While noting the futility of earning salvation through works, Norm reminded the congregation of the biblical imperative to seek the good of others, "and Eric certainly did that." He reflected on his days as a student at Avondale to illustrate two of Eric's characteristics. A man with two PhDs teaching theology to a fitter and turner-that's humility, he said. "And the fact that I passed, that's mercy."

"Those of us who knew [Eric] found him to be a person of great honesty and integrity," says Avondale president Dr Ray Roennfeldt. "Within the context of Adventism, Eric was often dealing with issues that were, and still are, controversial and polarising. Yet, he was always careful of others' views, while stating the arguments plainly." Ray describes Eric as "a great friend to the college," noting even in retirement Eric's contribution as a guest lecturer, chair of accreditation and research committees and a speaker at conferences. "Eric was irrepressible and is irreplaceable."

Eric complained about not feeling well after arriving home in Koolewong on the Central Coast from an evening walk with friends on August 31. He visited his neighbours who called the ambulance that took him to hospital where he died shortly after.

Now buried in Avondale Cemetery next to first wife Leonainie (nee Tolhurst-the two married in 1956 and enjoyed 47 years together before Nainie's death in 2001), Eric leaves sons Trevor, Roger and Tony, daughter-in-law Risa and grandchildren Andrea and Sean. He was 76.

Caption: Andrea and Sean Magnusson remember their grandfather, Dr Eric Magnusson, during the former Avondale principal's graveside service this past Sunday. Longtime friend and former colleague Dr Desmond Ford officiated at the service.
Credit: Barry Taylor

Click here to read a devotional by Pr Bruce Manners about last Sunday's memorial service.