J. B. McMinn was a man of many interests. In the 30 years he taught philosophy at The University of Alabama, McMinn became the chair of the philosophy department, published a book of poetry, took students on trips to Europe and even wrote an alternate version of The University of Alabama’s fight song. McMinn was 91 years old when he passed away on April 24, earlier this year.

McMinn was originally from Port Naches, Texas, and his first pursuit was in Theology. McMinn’s son, Robert McMinn, said his father was working in New Orleans when he decided to pursue a different path.

“He was a theology professor at the Southern Baptist Seminary in New Orleans, and when he left that department, theology, he decided to pursue a philosophical background,” Robert McMinn said. “He got his Ph. D. and accepted his assignment at the University.”

J. B. McMinn came to The University of Alabama in 1960. He taught a variety of courses in the philosophy department, including logic, history of philosophy, ancient philosophy, modern philosophy and introductory ?philosophy courses.

Scott Hestevold, current chair of the philosophy department, said he ?remembers McMinn as an energetic and enthusiastic educator.

“I met Billy McMinn when I arrived on campus as a young assistant professor in 1978,” Hestevold said. “He had been here a number of years then, and he and I worked together for a decade before ?he retired.”

Jil Chambless, a 1987 graduate of the University, took an introductory philosophy class with McMinn her freshman year. McMinn was known for taking students on trips to Europe to study different aspects of philosophy. Chambless, along with about six other students, traveled with McMinn to Germany to study Friedrich Nietzsche, on what ended up being McMinn’s last trip to Europe as a professor. McMinn retired in 1987, but he ?continued to teach ?until 1990.