A journey of faith, family, and Greenville University: the story of Roy and Nancy Taylor  

Published: September 26, 2024

Author: Liz Dowell

Greenville University has long been recognized for fostering relationships that endure beyond the classroom—whether through faith, community, or the lifelong connections forged on campus.

For Roy, a 1972 alum who graduated with a chemistry major, and Nancy Taylor, a 1973 alum who studied speech education and speech-language pathology, Greenville provided a solid foundation in their respective fields. They served as the backdrop for their enduring partnership, which spanned decades.

FROM ALASKA TO GREENVILLE

Roy Taylor's journey to Greenville University took a winding road that began in Cincinnati. When he was four, his parents received a letter from friends inviting them to help build the first Free Methodist Church in the Territory of Alaska. They ventured boldly north, only to encounter seemingly insurmountable challenges.

"In 1954, our family traveled up the gravel Alcan Highway for three weeks, with everything we owned stuffed into our canvas-covered truck. We arrived in Valdez with five dollars to our name," Roy reminisced. "The church we were to build was nothing more than a pile of logs next to a muddy hole in the ground. There wasn't even electricity on the street."

"Alaska has always been a tough place to live," Roy explained. "Valdez gets forty feet of snow in winter. During the short summer, we had to hunt fish and gather alongside bears and other wild animals to replenish our food supply.

After two years in somewhat civilized Valdez, moving to a homestead meant leaving running water and electricity behind. We truly lived off the land—planting gardens, catching fish, and hunting moose and caribou."

Despite these hardships, Roy's family found joy in their circumstances, a time his mother would later describe as "the wonder years."

Upon graduating from high school, Roy was drawn to Greenville University because of its Christian environment and the opportunities it provided for pre-med students.

"Greenville was a natural choice for me," he affirmed. "Not only because of its Christian focus but also because it offered an atmosphere that supported students in finding their spiritual and professional calling."

Roy's decision to attend Greenville proved pivotal. The university's renowned pre-med program, led by Professor Warren McMullen, was crucial in preparing him for his future as a physician.

"More than a professor, Dr. McMullen was a mentor who genuinely cared about his students. His guidance shaped not only my academic career but also my approach to life and faith," Roy said.

Under McMullen's leadership, Greenville's pre-med program boasted an impressive success rate, with 90% of its students gaining admission to medical school—three times the national average.

Greenville's influence went beyond academics for Roy. As he pursued his pre-medical degree, he was deeply impacted by Professor Elva McAllaster, affectionately referred to as "Dr Mac."

"She was someone you hoped to emulate, not just in her intellectual rigor, but in her character. She left a lasting impression on my academic and personal life," Roy reflected. "Other notable examples of godly character included Professor John Ayers, whose prayers seemed to lift us into the presence of God, and Pastor Donald Bastian, whose warm smile and wise counsel spared us from many missteps."

A LOVE THAT BEGAN AT GREENVILLE

Amidst his studies and involvement on campus, Roy met Nancy, who would become his lifelong partner. Their first encounter was during a small prayer meeting for Mission Week, where Nancy first took note of Roy.

"Only a handful of us attended, and I remember being impressed by his commitment," Nancy recalled. "I made a mental note that this was someone worth getting to know."

Their connection deepened while working together on The Papyrus, Greenville University's student newspaper.

Shared interests, grounded in faith, service, and mutual respect, formed the basis of a relationship that has flourished for over five decades. Their bond carried them through Roy's ten years of medical training and Nancy's pursuit of two master's degrees.

While raising their three children, Roy practiced vascular surgery for nearly 40 years, and Nancy pursued careers in speech pathology, education, and public speaking.

FAITH, FAMILY AND THE LESSONS OF GREENVILLE

Roy credits Greenville University with providing the academic foundation for his medical career and fostering a deeper understanding of faith and community.

"The Christian character of the professors and the culture at Greenville were invaluable during a formative time in my life," he said. This Christian foundation later became central to Roy's reflections in his recently published memoir, The Road to Courage: A Boy's Adventures on America's Last Frontier (Koehler Books, 2024).

Roy's brother, James, also a Greenville graduate, was tragically lost in a commercial fishing accident at the age of 23. Roy missed his graduation to attend the memorial service in Homer, Alaska, and a month later, he and Nancy were married.

"Life was too full to slow down and process what had happened," Roy reflected. "It wasn't until I was in my 60s that I realized how my unfinished grief was affecting my relationships. Inspired by Dr. Mac's lessons on the power of storytelling, I enrolled in a writing course and began capturing stories of our adventures as young boys on the Alaskan frontier."

NPR RECOGNITION

As he wrote, Roy's memories of James evolved from a source of pain to one of healing. He woven a collection of manuscripts that told the story of his family's move north in 1954 and their early experiences in Valdez, including helping their father construct the log church by hand.

Originally intended as an adventure story, the memoir transformed into a testament to the power of faith, family, and friendship in the face of life's greatest challenges—values reinforced by mentors like Professor McMullen and Doctor Mac at Greenville.

Throughout his medical career and now in his writing, Roy has sought to honor the principles instilled in him during his time at Greenville. He and Nancy have remained steadfast partners in all aspects of their lives.

The Road to Courage has garnered several awards, including NPR's Firebird Award for Christian Nonfiction and Memoir. You can learn more at Roy's website.