Elbert Roberts Bishop

Elbert Roberts Bishop, Sr. was born in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, on June 28, 1918. He was the youngest child of James William Bishop Sr. and Mignonette Roberts Bishop and was educated in the public school systems of Rocky Mount, North Carolina, and Washington, DC. He received a Bachelor of Science degree from the Johns Hopkins Institute. His beloved wife, Helen Marie Bishop, preceded him in death in JulyOf 2002.A LIFE of SERVICE to COUNTRYInstilled with a sense of patriotic duty at an early age by a family who valued honor, Elbert enlisted in the Army to serve his country in 1941 during World War II. He was trained in Officer’s Candidate School, and was among the first African-American officers to serve in the Pacific Theatre in the rank of 1st Lieutenant. He served in both Australia and in the Philippines as a Company Commander and gained the respect of troops of all races as he led. Elbert was appointed the rank of Captain in 1946, and was discharged in 1953, after a recall from the Korean Conflict. Also during his Army tenure, he served as a Trial Judge Advocate and Company Commander in Virginia. In addition to being a trailblazer for other enlisted men of color, he was decorated with three Bronze Battle Stars for his meritorious service in the Asiatic Pacific Theatre. His greatest award, however, was the admiration of those who served alongside him. To them, Elbert was known as not only an officer, but also a gentleman in character and outlook. He considered his duty to his country a part of his duty to God, and served with commitment, passion and faith.A LIFE SPENT EDUCATING OTHERSAfter his military service ended, Elbert was able to return to his first passion, teaching and molding young minds. “Captain Bishop, Leader,” became “Mr. Bishop, Teacher,” and he was appointed to a position teaching Mathematics and Industrial Arts. Again, breaking new ground for young African-American professionals, he joined several other progressive men and women to begin a long career as an educator in the Baltimore County Public School System. To Elbert, teaching Industrial Arts was more than just tools, planes and blueprints. He became involved in his student’s lives outside of the classroom, encouraged, and educated them in all areas of life. Throughout the years, he moved from teacher to guidance counselor, putting to use his gifts of compassion, mediation and problem solving to help others. By the time of his retirement in 1976, he had totaled thirty-seven years of committed service as an educator in Baltimore County public schools. The man many knew as “B” would, for years, continue to receive words of gratitude from students who recognized his signature smile and warm, welcoming greeting. A LIFE of CHRISTIAN SERVICEElbert came to faith in Christ at the age of ten, answering the voice of the still small Spirit in his heart. His relationship with God shaped everything in his life, and his views on character, conduct and faith were molded by the Truths set forth in God’s Word. His faith was not just a Sunday morning type of faith, but a faith that persevered all week long was borne out in his Christian service. He was an active member of Trinity Presbyterian Church for more than fifty years, serving as a Ruling Elder on the session until the day he went to be with the Lord. Throughout the years, he also served as a Trustee, as a member of the Trinity Men’s Chorus, the Congregational Nurture Committee, the Pastoral Nominating Committee, the Trinity Presbyterian Men, the Speech Choir, the recent Sign Committee, and was a contributor to the Annual Black History Project. He also participated in numerous other church affiliated events supporting others in their worship. Though a person easy and comfortable with being up front, he was more often seen whistling or singing behind the scenes, fixing the seemingly unfixable, repairing the irreparable, and always planning for the next “church upgrade project.”A LIFE SPENT for FAMILY Known to his family and friends as “Rob,” to his dear brother as “Nathan,” and always known to his children as “Daddy,” Elbert’s greatest love was reserved for his wife Helen Marie. They nurtured their love through World War II with long letters and even longer prayers, and were joyfully wed on February 1, 1945. During his military years, they often signed their letters to one another “Eternally Yours.” When Elbert quietly passed into the presence of His beloved Lord on April 13, 2004, this promise to her was fulfilled and they were united once again. He is survived by his five children, Elbert R. Bishop, Jr., Helen Bishop Jenkins, James B. Bishop, Anita Bishop-Johnson and Karen-Angela Bishop and by his beloved brother, James William Bishop. Elbert also leaves behind seven grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren and a lifetime of loving friends and relatives.

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Elbert Roberts Bishop

June 28, 1918 - April 13, 2004