Meredith Rodriguez
News Assistant
Christmas was different for the Stivers family this year. It was sadder, quieter. An all-too familiar joke was left unsaid, a musical part left unsung and a language or two was left unspoken.
This loss was felt far beyond the Stivers household, however. The world felt this loss. Underprivileged families from Mexico to Hon-
duras lost an advocate and friend.
The Pepperdine family lost long-time professor of modern languages, Dr. William Neal Stivers.
Stivers died Nov. 30 of natural causes.
His beloved wife of 57 years, Francis, and their son, Chris Stivers, manager of Web and Multimedia Services and adjunct professor at Pepperdine, were at his side.
“No one was as deeply involved or physically connected to the university as Bill Stivers,” said University President Andrew K. Benton.
Stivers was a Pepperdine student the first year it opened in 1937. From then until the end of his life, he was a bridge-builder between cultures.
Many credit much of the expansion of the Church of Christ in Mexico and Central America to Stivers, according to Seaver Dean, David Baird. His legacy of service through Spanish classes, hymnal translations and various other forms of benevolence, live on in the memories of the countless lives he touched. An orphanage in Ensenada, Mexico, was named Camp Stivers in honor of his tireless dedication to them.
“I don’t think of the weakened Bill, rather I think of the Bill who was making trips for the Dimas family in Mexico,” said President Benton “I think of the Bill who humored us with his jokes, and I think of all the students he taught.”
Albert Winnikoff, a member of the Malibu community, took Stivers’ free Spanish classes. Stivers used these classes to raise money for his various mission projects. After each class, he passed around a hat, asking anyone who made more than $2 per day to donate money to those in Mexico who did not.
“He had this tremendous compassion for Mexicans,” Winnikoff said. “He wanted to help the underdog … He believed that everybody should be treated with dignity.”
Stivers’ oldest granddaughter, Melody Stivers, a Pepperdine alumna, agreed.
“No one was below him,” she said, remembering walking in the cafeteria with her grandfather, speaking Spanish to the workers. “They loved him.”
Many agree that Stivers genuinely cared about people in general, not just for the underdog.
“He had such an interest in the lives of others that was very Christ-like,” said John Lowry, a Seaver graduate of ’99, and student of Stivers. Lowry was also astounded by the creative and effective ways in which Stivers taught Spanish.
Others remembered his loyalty, humility, passion and grace. Nonetheless, those closest to him fondly recalled his less-saintly traits.
According to Dr. Phillip Thomason, professor of Spanish, he was cluttered, disorganized and at times, even brutally frank.
“And he could somehow get away with it,” Thomason said.
Friends said Stivers had a delightful sense of humor.
“He always had a joke for you in Spanish or English,” Thomason said.
Baird agreed.
“Out of the blue he would tell a funny story,” he said. “No one laughed harder at it than he did.
“You look back at all he accomplished,” continued Baird, “It’s a wonder — in his church, personal, public, professional life — and blend all that together, yet he never seemed hassled or hurried or rushed at all. Rather, he was always confident in his work and in his faith.”
Furthermore, Stivers did not brag. His own granddaughter was not aware of his accomplishments.
“Growing up with him, I didn’t know I had an extraordinary grandfather,” said granddaughter, Melody. “I learned so much about him at his memorial.”
Hispanic families from as far as Honduras came to his bilingual memorial held in Elkins. Students, colleagues, friends and even mayor Jim Hahn, told stories of Stivers’ incredible dedication to his work at Pepperdine, Mexico and Los Angeles.
The service began with his favorite song, “Praise God from Whom all Blessings Flow.”
Those close to Stivers said the song reflected his life philosophy, and he always made sure it was sung after every holiday prayer at home and after every Spanish chapel at school.
His second granddaughter, Holly remembered that tradition with sadness.
“It was really cool because we’re a musical family. All four parts (would go) on at once,” she said through tears. “Now, when we sing it we’re missing one part, and it’s really noticeable.”
01-13-2005