Tabor College professor emeritus of history and religion Richard “Doc” Kyle, 85, died July 15.

Over 41 years of teaching, Kyle shared his passion for Bible and history courses with thousands of students who were influenced by his commitment to faith, scholarship and service. He led more than 700 students on 31 international study trips to 30 countries from 1981 to 2013, the year he retired.

“He spoke with authority and passion that combined with his memorable personality made him a legend in Tabor’s history,” said Tabor President David Janzen, recalling with fondness the history course he took as an undergraduate. “We will miss Doc Kyle’s presence on campus and in our community, but his legacy will live in a faculty lecture series named in his honor. . . . He was revered as one of Tabor’s most prolific and respected scholars.”

Kyle began a faculty lecture series in 1997, and it was named in his honor in 2004.

He traveled to 70 countries, and his worldview was influenced by exposure to other cultures. In 1999 he was awarded the first of two recognitions as a Fulbright Scholar. He first taught American Studies at the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academic in Ukraine and then at Grodno State University in Belarus in 2005-06.

A prolific writer, he published 12 books and penned pieces featured in more than 160 publications. Some of his books include From Sect to Denomination: Church Types and Their Implications for Mennonite Brethren History (1985), The Religious Fringe: A History of Alternative Religions in America (1993), The Last Days Are Here Again: A History of the End Times (1998), Evangelicalism: An Americanized Christianity (2006) and several books on Scottish minister and Reformation leader John Knox.

“Doc Kyle was a quintessential professor: He would take his notes to class and then seldom use them, simply speaking from the wealth of wisdom he had collected over the years,” said Tabor provost Frank Johnson. “He was tough yet fair to students; he also was quick to engage them in the hallway or at events. Doc Kyle helped influence two generations of students. The world is a better place for his work and service at Tabor College.”

Kyle’s service extended beyond the classroom to the football field. ­After arriving at Tabor in 1972, he served as interim head coach in 1974 and defensive coordinator in 1973, 1975-76 and 1978-93.

His college playing career at Kutztown University in Pennsylvania culminated with honors as the team’s most valuable player in 1957 and 1958. He received contract offers from the Baltimore Colts, Detroit Lions, Pittsburgh Steelers and Los Angeles Rams before signing with the Colts. He played the exhibition season in 1962 before a leg injury forced his release.

Football was not just a sport for Kyle; it instilled the discipline and work ethic that drove his academic career, though football was perhaps the only thing that sent him to college. He was the son of a Pennsylvania steel worker who dropped out of school in eighth grade. His mother graduated from a small school that only went to 10th grade. They never encouraged him to get educated. His high school guidance counselor advised him to shave and join the Army. Fortunately, he did neither.

Baptized in his youth, he became an ordained minister, eventually drawn to the Mennonite church because of its social concern for the less fortunate. He taught adult Sunday school whenever called upon and regarded his academic research and teaching at Tabor as a form of ministry.

His work on fringe religions opened eyes to religious groups outside traditional Christian movements. He challenged problematic trends within the Christian church, arguing in two books that popular evangelicalism blurred the line between Christianity and American culture.

Kyle acquired several degrees after graduating in 1961 from Kutztown, including a master of theology from Temple University in 1965, a master of divinity from Denver Seminary in 1968, a doctorate in history from the University of New Mexico in 1972 and another master of theology from Princeton Theological Seminary in 1980.

He is survived by Joyce, his wife of 56 years. They raised two sons, Bryan and Brent. The loss of Bryan to leukemia was a profound test to his faith, but he persevered.

A memorial service was held July 30 at Hillsboro Mennonite Brethren Church.