Bishop Who Championed Progressive Causes, 82, Dies

A bishop-in-residence at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, who championed the ordination of women and other progressive causes, apparently suffered a heart attack and died in his car Tuesday while driving home from a religious gathering, authorities said.

A church employee found the Rev. John McGill Krumm, 82, slumped over the steering wheel of his car, which was still idling, about 8:30 a.m. Tuesday in St. Paul’s Episcopal Church’s parking lot on Wass Street, officials said.

The bishop was returning from a meeting in Santa Barbara on Monday night with two other clergymen, who dropped him off and left after they saw Krumm start his car and begin backing out, said the Rev. Reese M. Riley, rector of St. Paul’s. Krumm drove about 10 feet and suffered a heart attack, Riley said.

Krumm, of Irvine, was remembered as an influential clergyman who aside from promoting women’s causes also vigorously supported the downtrodden, Riley said.

Earlier this month, Krumm led a Mass at St. Luke’s Church in Long Beach for AIDS victims, Riley said.

“He was a remarkable man, a real loss to the church,” Riley said. “He taught many of us lessons in excellence.”

Krumm was born in South Bend, Ind., and later moved to Pasadena with his parents. He began pursuing a religious career after meeting a reverend at an Episcopal church in Pasadena who took Krumm “under his wings,” Riley said.

In 1983, Krumm left an appointed post in Europe and moved to Southern California to assist the Diocese of Los Angeles in various roles that included performing baptisms, talking to Sunday school children about Eucharist and acting as interim rector, Riley said.

“He has been a father, a grandfather and a great-grandfather to many people,” Riley said. “He was one of those people who appeared to be getting younger [at heart] as he was growing older.

Krumm was ordained in 1938 and later served as rector in San Mateo. He served in numerous posts across the country over the years.

The bishop is survived by his brother, William F. Krumm.

A Requiem Eucharist for Krumm is scheduled for 7:30 p.m Nov. 1, All Saints’ Day, at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 1221 Wass St. Krumm will be cremated.