With deep sadness we share the news that Jere D. Patzer, North Pacific Union Conference president since 1996, passed away late Sunday evening, October 26, after a long battle withnon-Hodgkins lymphoma. He was 61.
Born in Bozeman, Montana, November 24, 1946, Jere Patzer graduated from Atlantic Union College in 1969 with degrees in Business Administration and Religion. He pastored in the New York and Pennsylvania conferences before moving into Seventh-day Adventist church leadership, directing youth ministries for the Pennsylvania, Oregon and North Pacific Union Conferences. In 1982 he moved to the Upper Columbia Conference headquartered in Spokane, Wash., serving as executive secretary for three years. He was elected president of that conference in 1985, a position he held until 1996, when he accepted the presidency of the North Pacific Union, the Northwest headquarters within North America for the Adventist Church.
Throughout his professional journey, Jere added an M.B.A. and also a Doctor of Ministry degree. At the time of his death, he was also serving as chair of the Adventist Health board of directors and the Walla Walla University board. He authored four books published by the Pacific Press and for more than a decade hosted the radio program Issues and Interviews. He was well known throughout the world for his commitment to evangelism, personally conducting major series on nearly every major continent.
Jere is survived by his wife, Sue, who serves as the NPUC director of women’s ministries; son, Darin, manager of KEEH radio in Spokane, along with his wife Natalie and children Kyrie and Kale; son, Troy, principal of Upper Columbia Academy in Spangle, Wash. with wife Renee and children Amelie and Elianne; daughter, Carissa, of Boise, Id.; and father, Arthur, of College Place, Wash.
A public memorial service is scheduled for Saturday, November 15, at 3:00 p.m. at the Meadow Glade SDA Church, 11001 NE 189th Street, Battle Ground, WA 98604.
Jere and Sue journaled their battle with lymphoma, with updates provided online. Read their journal HERE.
Jere Patzer--a Tribute to Our Friend
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Jere D. Patzer
1946-2008
