| American slain in Zimbabwe By Linda Green United Methodist News Service  U.S. and Zimbabwe officials are investigating the shooting death of a 58-year-old American who had been visiting his brother at United Methodist-related Africa University. Richard M. Gilman of Torrington, Conn., was fatally shot Nov. 11 after allegedly trying to speed through a security roadblock in Mutare. Each November, Richard had visited his brother, Howard (Gil) Gilman, a sociology professor at Africa University, and he occasionally lectured to the students. According to Bishop Felton Edwin May, vice chairman of Africa Universitys board of trustees, Howard Gilman is a member of the Covenant United Methodist Church in Montgomery Village. Richards religious background was unknown at press time. Conflicting reports about the circumstances surrounding the death have prompted the U.S. Embassy in Harare and the Zimbabwean police to launch investigations. A U.S. Embassy spokesman told The New York Times that American diplomats have gone to Mutare to investigate the shooting. Mike Hayes, a United Methodist missionary assigned to Africa University, questioned police accounts of the shooting. That just goes so contrary to anything anyone knows about the man, he told United Methodist News Service. Richard, an accountant, was a philanthropist for the Vumbunu Primary School near Watsomba, outside Mutare. He funded the construction of the schools library and provided books and shoes for the 100 students there. Plans to bring electricity to the school were under way. Each November, he visited his brother and was involved in fund raising, charity work and numerous development projects at primary schools on behalf of the underprivileged and underserved, according to university officials. He established a food nutrition program called Mahewu, named after a non-alcoholic traditional drink. (Howard) and his brother, out of their own pockets, were going to pay to have electricity brought to a rural primary school there in Zimbabwe, Hayes said. He added that the project had come to a halt because of violence related to recent elections in Zimbabwe. Through frequent visits to Africa University in Mutare, Richard became highly regarded as a lecturer by students and faculty. The university community is mourning the loss amid its 10th anniversary celebrations this week. Clearly, the death of Richard Gilman came to us as a complete shock, said Professor Rukudzo Murapa, Africa Universitys vice chancellor. We could not believe that such a God-fearing man who dedicated himself to assisting children in schools in Zimbabwe would have his life ended in such a tragic manner. It is shocking in that the way he was killed defies all sense of logic or morality. Murapa and the entire university community are urging authorities to investigate thoroughly, impartially and professionally to bring to book those that are responsible. The vice chancellor said Richard was part of the universitys community, and brother Howard has become a strong pillar on the academic staff. We mourn with Howard in the loss of his brother and pray for him and Richards family, Murapa said. The universitys 10th anniversary celebrations will enable it to express gratitude to its many supporters. Though the school grieves Richards death, it is resolved to continue with the celebration and expressing gratitude for having survived and prospered over the last 10 years, Murapa said. He would want us to do so. Howard accepted the call of servant ministry and wanted to be an agent of holy boldness, Bishop May said. The call brought him and his skills as a sociologist to Africa University two years ago. He felt that he was doing the right thing and had no doubt that he was following the mandate of Christ to go into the world and preach the gospel, the bishop said. May praised both the Gilman brothers for their work. Serving Christ in the world is a dangerous and risky enterprise, he said. It can only be creatively and authentically lived out if a person is committed to Jesus Christ as their Lord and their Savior. May described Richard as exemplifying a servanthood that demonstrated faith as well as servant ministry. See related commentary. | 
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