Obituary of Bruce Daniel Sapp ~ 1998

Transcribed by Joan S Dunn

Source: The News & Observer Dec 3 1998

RALEIGH - As rector of Christ Episcopal Church in Raleigh for 36 years, 
the Rev. Bruce Daniel Sapp stood against racial prejudice in the struggle 
for civil rights and preached against homophobia in the age of HIV and 
AIDS. He died Tuesday of heart failure at age 73.  
"He made a lot of spiritual progress possible for a lot of people," said 
author Alan Gurganus, who knew Sapp only by reputation until about six 
years ago when Gurganus moved home to Rocky Mount from New York. Since 
then, they had become good friends.  
Gurganus described Sapp as someone who had a complete sense of self and 
who could use it to help people make things possible for themselves.  
Gurganus knew about Sapp's efforts to help members of the church accept 
racial integration. 
"He had a really profound sense of social conscience," Gurganus said.  
When some white members walked out of the church because African-Americans 
attended the services, Sapp was wise enough to realize that they would be 
back, and he welcomed them warmly when they returned.  
"Part of Dan's genius was to make homophobia and racism unacceptable," 
Gurganus said.   
Sapp's skill as a preacher also made him an exceptional religious leader. 
He could anticipate the congregation's reaction to what he had said and 
respond to it.  
"His sermons were more like conversations than like lectures," Gurganus 
said.  
Born in Pamlico County, Sapp grew up in New Bern and Rich Square. 
He attended what is now Appalachian State University until he was inducted 
into the Army Air Corps during World War II and was assigned to a B-17 
Flying Fortress crew. He served both as a radio operator and a gunner on 
bombing missions over Germany.  
After the war, Sapp earned a bachelor's degree in journalism at the 
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He spent two years as an 
advertising salesman for The News & Observer before returning to school 
at the Virginia Episcopal Theological Seminary in Alexandria, Va.  
Sapp became assistant rector at Christ Church in 1955 and rector a year 
later. He held the position until he retired in 1992.  
Under Sapp's leadership, the church set up relief programs to provide food 
and clothing to the needy and later established an AIDS ministry in the 
face of controversy.   
Sapp was married to Tharon Elizabeth Young of Boone, who died in 1990.  
He is survived by four children: Tharon Dunn of Nantucket, Mass., Judith 
Searcy of New York City, Carver Sapp of Raleigh and Dan Sapp Jr. of Mill 
Valley, Calif.   
The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Friday at Christ Episcopal Church. The 
family will receive callers at the parish house after the service.  
Memorials may be made to Wake County Relief, Christ Episcopal Church, P.O. 
Box 25778, Raleigh NC 27611.





Back to Pamlico Obituaries Index
Return to Pamlico County Page