Herbert Alcorn Donovan, Jr.

Herbert Alcorn Donovan, Jr., born in in 1931 in Washington DC, died peacefully on November 3, 2025 in Highlands Ranch. CO with this family at his bedside. Herbert loved his family (us), his church (Episcopal), his team (Yankees), and his University (Virginia) with unwavering loyalty.

Herbert's father was an Episcopal priest in Charlottesville, VA and Herbert followed in his footsteps, graduating from the University of Virginia and Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria. He left the state for his first parish in Green River, WY, where he met his wife, Mary. Together they shared a lifelong ministry within the Episcopal Church.

Donovan was a gifted parish priest, competent and beloved. His career included serving parishes in Wyoming and later as Rector of St. Luke's Church in Montclair, NJ. He was elected Bishop of Arkansas in 1980 and served there for 13 years. He later served as Vicar at Trinity Church, Wall Street, in New York City. He served in several interim positions: Episcopal Bishop of Chicago, Bishop of New Jersey, Anglican Observer at the United Nations, and Rector of Trinity Church, Boston. In addition to his church work, Donovan was commissioned as a Chaplain in 1956 and served as Chaplain in the US Navy Reserves for over 30 years, retiring with the rank of Captain.

Bishop Donovan was committed to progressive change withing the national Episcopal Church and was an early supporter of the move to ordain women to the priesthood. Similarly, he supported blessing same-sex marriages and the ordination of gay individuals to the priesthood. He was known as a kind and strong administrator, gifted at identifying and nurturing talents within others, followed by a hands-off approach as he let them do their jobs. He said often, "Administration is ministry". He had an uncanny ability to remember people and he made everyone feel special. He never met a cookie he did not love, and he kept a little index card of good jokes in his breast pocket. His favorite

Bible story was the Prodigal Son. Last, but not least, all who knew him will recall that he had a sneeze that could wake the dead!

Herbert is survived by his wife, Mary, and their three children and families: Mary, Hermann, Madeline and Alexander Moreno; Herbert, Keiko, and Michael Donovan; and Jane Donovan and Frank Buczkowski. Services will be held at St. Timothy's Episcopal Church in Littleton, CO and, as Herbert would say, "All are Welcome!"

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to St. Timothy's Episcopal Church or Heifer International: 1 World Avenue, Little Rock, AR 72202