Rev. Russell E. Sargent

Reverend Russell E. Sargent The Reverend Russell E. Sargent passed away peacefully at his home in Cairo, New York on Monday April 25, 2016. Rev. Sargent was well known in various areas of New York state, having served as Pastor at United Methodist Churches in Bayville, North Fenton, Red Hook, Elizaville, Rowe, Fleishmann's, Margaretville, Franklin, Sydney and Athens. Sargent made both regional and national news in 1967 when he rode his horse Lord Baltimore over 220 miles from Red Hook in Dutchess County to St. John the Devine Methodist Church in NYC and then on to Bridgeport, Connecticut delivering keynote sermons in commemoration of the role of circuit riders for the 200th anniversary of the Methodist Church in the United States. Upon his "retirement" in 1989 he served as Associate Pastor of the Catskill United Methodist Church through 1999. During this time period, he also took various mission trips to Latin America in relief of Methodist missionaries. He continued serving as the Pastor Emeritus until he reached the age of 90. Reverend Sargent was an active Mason for 56 years. He also served a tour as the Pastor on the QE II from California to Australia. He declined a long-term offer to serve with the QE II, instead chosing to continue his pastoral role. Russell met and married the love of his life Nancy Stella Borgese while they both attended Drew University in Madison, New Jersey. He was a divinity student at Drew Theological Seminary, while Nancy was one of the first of seven women accepted to attend Drew. Rev. Sargent in subsequent years received Masters Degrees in marriage and family counseling and counselling from Columbia University. Russell and Nancy married on March 25, 1945 and began a 16-year journey serving as Methodist Missionaries in Chile, Costa Rica and Mexico. They were married for over 68 years until Nancy's death in 2012. While in Chile, they lived and worked among the Araucanian Indians in very primitive conditions. They lived in a house without electricity, running water or plumbing. During this period in his ministry, Rev. Sargent rode on horse back to the various Araucanian Indian villages to preach the gospel. During the five-year mission, he established 15 new Methodist churches and a boarding school. The Sargents were then called to a mission in Costa Rica, where he preached at the work farms set up by the United Fruit Company. Rev. Sargent established 11 new Methodist Churches in Costa Rica. Many years later, a youth camp “Campamento Metodista Russell Sargent” was named in his honor for his work throughout Costa Rica. Russell and Nancy's third major mission appointment was to Mexico. The work took involved a much different role. Reverend Sargent directed the Heifer International Project, which provides low income families with livestock. Families are taught the basics of animal husbandry and must sign a contract which is designed for self-sufficiency. Participants must agree that they will not sell or butcher the animals until they have produced enough offspring to return the same number to the project as well as sufficient to keep their enterprise going should they chose to sell or butcher an animal. The animals returned to the project are then distributed to other families in the community. Rev. Sargent was involved in many critical aspects of the ministry, including traveling to the U.S.A. to bring livestock to Mexico. He also purchased land on behalf of the United Methodist Church, to build churches, schools and hospitals. He was also instrumental in establishing a family planning clinic and hired one of the first female OB-GYN Doctors to serve the needs of the community. Born on June 3, 1919 in Joplin, Montana Russell was the son of the late Lewis and Edna Sargent. He was raised on a dairy farm in Red Wing, Minnesota and graduated from Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota where he excelled in sports and became a tri-state silver medalist in wrestling. The reverend often mentioned that if he had won his final match, he planned to become a professional wrestler. Obviously, God had other plans for his life. Russell earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theology and the went on to attend Drew University, completing a Master of Divinity from Drew Theological Seminary. He enjoyed traveling the world with his beloved Nancy. Their world travel destinations included Cuba, Central and South America, Europe, China, Turkey and the Holy Land. Russell was a compassionate, positive and spiritual man. Those who knew him best were forever laughing at his “corny” jokes. Reverend Sargent is survived by his children; Jeanette Sargent-Hill and her husband Arthur of Red Hook, New York, John Sargent and his partner Tracey Farley of Cairo, NY, Luther Sargent and his wife Graciela of Basra, Iraq, Paul Sargent and his wife Jerelyn of North Greenbush, NY and David Sargent of Albany, NY. Russell was the loving Grandfather of Yve Miller (Justin), Cassandra Lawson (Jonathan), Laura Hill, Amanda Hill, Joseph Sargent (Laura), Noah Sargent, Alexandra Sargent, David Sargent, Mark Sargent, Aaron Sargent, Miriam Sargent and the great-grandfather to Sedona and Jessie Miller and Elizabeth Sargent. Russell is also survived by several nieces and nephews and a host of other relatives and friends.Russell was pre-deceased by his sisters Evelyn Klecker and Delores Mann (late James). On behalf of the Sargent family, we would like to extend our sincere appreciation and gratitude to Dr. Samuel Merkan, The Eddy Visiting Nurses, The Pines and Hospice of Columbia and Greene Counties. Services and viewing will be held at Catskill United Methodist Church, 40 Woodland Avenue, Catskill, NY 12414 on Friday, April 29, 2016 with viewing from 10:00 A.M. to 12:00 Noon. The funeral service will follow at 12:00 Noon and will be delivered at the Catskill United Methodist Church by pastor the Reverend Michelle Lewis. Interment will follow in the Cairo Cemetery, Cairo NY. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Sargent Mission Fund c/o The Catskill United Methodist Church, 40 Woodland Avenue, Catskill, NY 12414. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Richards Funeral Home, Cairo, NY. Condolences may be made at www.richardsfuneralhomeinc.net.

Rev. Russell E. Sargent

June 3, 1919 - April 25, 2016