Dean T. Stevenson

Stevenson was born in Pottsville, Pennsylvania, on August 16, 1915, the son of Paul Arthur Stevenson and Martha Taylor. He studied at Lehigh University, from where he graduated in 1937. He also graduated with a Bachelor of Sacred Theology in 1940 from the General Theological Seminary. He also earned a master's degree from Lehigh University in 1949 and an honorary Doctor of Sacred Theology from General Theological Seminary in 1962.

Stevenson was ordained deacon on May 28, 1940 and priest on December 14, 1940 and became curate of the Cathedral of the Nativity in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Between 1940 and 1942 he was also the Episcopal chaplain of Lehigh University. He also served as a chaplain in the US army during WWII, serving with the 361st Infantry Regiment in North Africa and Italy. He also received the Bronze Star for heroic action on the Italian front. In 1946 he became dean of Leonard Hall in Fountain Hill, Pennsylvania, the residence for pre-theological students at Lehigh University. Subsequently, he also served as vicar of St Margaret's Church in Emmaus, Pennsylvania and St Elizabeth's Church in Allentown, Pennsylvania. In 1957 he was appointed Archdeacon of Bethlehem, a post he retained till his election as Bishop of Harrisburg.

Stevenson was twice elected bishop. The first, which he declined, took place on November 19, 1963 when he was elected as Bishop of Northern Michigan. He was elected again on June 23, 1966, this time as Bishop of Harrisburg, an election he accepted. He was consecrated on October 13, 1966 by Presiding Bishop John E. Hines. In 1971, the name of the diocese was changed from Harrisburg and adapted the original name of the present Episcopal Diocese of Bethlehem, that of Central Pennsylvania. Hence, Stevenson became the first Bishop of the new Central Pennsylvania diocese. He retired in 1982 and died in Lemoyne, Pennsylvania on November 6, 1994.

• Dean Stevenson, Episcopal Bishop, Lehigh University Trustee Obituary