Obituary for Dr. Robert H. Mounce

1/25/2019

Dr. Robert “Bob” Mounce, President Emeritus of Whitworth University, passed away in Seattle, Washington on January 24 th, 2019 surrounded by family. Born in 1921 in LaSalle, Illinois, he grew up in Minot, North Dakota. He earned a BA in music from the University of Washington in 1943. During the Second World War, he served the nation as a dive bomber pilot in the Naval Air Corps (1943-1946). After the war, he taught public school and served as a missionary in Guatemala where he was director of the Christian radio station TGNA. He married Jean McTavish in 1952 and over the years, the two became loving parents for five children. He earned a Th.M. in New Testament from Fuller Theological Seminary in 1956, and in 1958, a Ph.D. in Biblical Criticism from the University of Aberdeen, Scotland. Dr. Mounce was Professor and Chairman of the Department of Biblical Studies at Bethel College and Seminary from 1958-1967. He then moved to Western Kentucky University where he served as Professor of Religious Studies (1967-1970) and Academic Dean of the College of Arts and Humanities (1970-1980). He then moved to Spokane to begin a term as President of Whitworth College, serving from 1981 to 1987. Throughout his career as a theologian and scholar, Dr. Mounce was a remarkably prolific writer. Publishing more than 25 books, including many highly-regarded New Testament commentaries. His commentaries on Revelation, Romans, and the Gospels of John and Matthew continue to be key resources for pastors and scholars around the globe. One of his most notable and enduring contributions to the community of Christian scholars was his long and faithful service on the translation committees for the following Bible translations: New International Version, New International Readers Version, New Living Translation, English Standard Version, and Revised Authorized Version. Few biblical scholars have had a greater impact on the way millions of people read and understand the recorded word of God. Following his tour as President of Whitworth College, Dr. Mounce served as the Senior Pastor of Christ Community Church, Walnut Creek, California. In 1991, he retired to a busy life of speaking and writing. After the death of Jean, his beloved wife of 60 years, he married Rachel Johnson, enjoying his final seven years with her in Anacortes, Washington where he focused on bringing the Bible to life in practical and devotional books and blogs for a wide following of readers, and also devoted time to composing new piano music and zipping around town in a sporty silver convertible. Robert Mounce will be remembered as a beloved educator, stalwart institutional leader, tireless scholar, prolific writer, and loving husband, father, and grandfather. He is preceded in death by his parents George Douglas and Edna Florence Kays, and his brother George. He is survived by his wife Rachel, daughter Teri (Terry) Gundlach, sons Mike (Nancy) Bertuleit, Bill (Robin) Mounce, Dave (Gini) Mounce, and Doug (Lili) Mounce, twelve grandchildren, and nine great grandchildren. There will be a gathering for friends and family in Scholls Ferry, Oregon. Donations in honor of Dr. Bob Mounce can be made to the Whitworth Scholarship Fund, Whitworth University, Institutional Advancement, 300 W. Hawthorne Rd., Spokane, WA 99251 & smcquilkin@whitworth.edu

12 Comments

Sharee Norton

1/25/2019 05:33:22 pm

Bob Mounce was WELCOMED into Heaven with a million Angels singing. Bob, we will miss your wise counsel and your piano! I will miss seeing you walk up the hill, attending bible study with you and most of all seeing your smile. Love you Bob.

To the Mounce Family, Kenny and I express our sincere condolences.

Gary and Julie Pierce link

1/27/2019 02:39:19 pm

God placed Julie and I in Bob and Jean’s life at a dinner for 8 in Bend, Oregon in the late 90’s...I was a baby Christian, and was soon being mentored by one of the giants of biblical commentary...our lives were never the same afterwards.

Their picture is always in my office.

We quickly fell into a routine on Sundays...we attended church, ate lunch together, went to our RV where Jean would take a nap while the 3 of us watched Adrian Rogers on TV. Bob then taught a bible study of up to 20 lucky people...

Wednesday was our day to explore Central Oregon...from Crater Lake, Smith rock, Sisters we had a ball. One day Bob showed us a campsite where the family had vacationed many years ago on a beautiful river.

I called Bob, Don Roberto and Jean,Momma Jean...we loved them and felt our love was returned...we visited them in Spokane after they left Bend and they visited us in our home in Surprise, Arizona.

We were privileged to visit Bob and Rachel in Anacortes, WA the last three September’s...a tradition we hope will continue for many years with Rachel.

A little tidbit about Bobs naval aviation career in Pensacola...his navigation instructor was a fellow by the name of Ted Williams, of the baseball hall of fame...I asked Bob to check to see if he could find his pilot log that Williams signed...no such luck.

I know I will see Bob again and am anxious to see what grade Paul, Matthew, John and others gave him on his numerous commentaries.

Bob we are so grateful you were a important part of our lives.

Ruth Gray link

1/27/2019 05:58:19 pm

I have a unique perspective on Bob Mounce because I have only known him for the last 7 years while he has been married to my sister Rachel. I will always remember him as the ideal of the word “gracious”. I observed that he focused with enthusiasm, kindness and warmth on each new person he met. I remember his creativity as he sat down at the piano and composed a unique song or hymn for a guest. (Who else would think to do such a thing)!
I remember his infectious joy as he gave rides in his car or on the boat. And, as an independent-minded woman myself, I was taken with his probing intellectual mind and his willingness to discuss and listen to theological or political positions other than his own, punctuating with a laugh and good-natured repartee (often so sadly lacking these days). That he mastered the computer and modern technology and did internet research that resulted in his blog and many new books-(especially at his age) still astounds me.
I was blessed to have him as a brother-in-law even for that short time. Thank you, dear Lord, for bringing him into our lives.

Thomas Weakley

1/28/2019 05:46:10 pm

We first met Dr. Mounce in the 70's. He was Laurie’s New Testament professor. I had the opportunity to hear him speak at a men’s breakfast and have lunch with him a couple of times while he was academic dean. After he left WKU, our paths did not cross again until he moved back to Bowling Green after his retirement. He was an answer to Laurie's prayer for she had prayed that I could find a mentor.

I requested a meeting and he agreed to have lunch as often as I desired. A relationship was quickly formed that I will cherish all of my days. We had much more than a mentor/mentee relationship, even more than a friendship. He became a second father to me. What a privilege to have a personal relationship with such a Christian statesman like Dr. Bob Mounce.

I Once had the opportunity to introduce him to a faculty luncheon. I had three pages of accomplishments to choose from. A pastor, an author, an accomplished pianist and composer, a Fighter Pilot in WW2, an Academic Dean at WKU, a President of Whitworth College, the list could go on and on. He has impacted millions through his biblical translation work for numerous versions including the NIV and most recently ESV bibles. His commentaries on Revelation, Romans, The Gospel of John and dozens of other works has enabled countless Christians to understand and apply God's word in a clear and concise way. Dr. Mounce and his commitment to the written word of God made alive was a gift to the Body of Christ. He is now walking in the presence of the Living Word of God, his Savior Jesus, listening to "Jesus in His own Words". He is and will be greatly missed. Thank you Lord for Dr. Bob Mounce!

Debbie Reeves

1/30/2019 03:13:25 pm

I was blessed to be hired by Dr. Mounce as his assistant at Whitworth College in 1982 where I worked with him until his retirement. I was a fairly new Christian and young in my career, but he took a chance on me. He and Jean quickly became special to me and I often said I felt like part of their family. Dr. Mounce helped me blossom in both my faith and my career. He was always true and faithful to the mission of the college and to his love of the Lord. What a blessing he was in my life. My years working with him were the best of my career. I miss him.

Tim and Kay Winn

1/31/2019 04:39:29 pm

Kay and I were blessed to know Bob and Jean from their time in Bend and at the Community Church in Sunriver. We spent many enjoyable times with them in Bible studies at the Gatley's home in Vandervert Ranch. Those were very special times with some wonderful people! We miss them all.

Nate Hanson link

1/31/2019 09:44:48 pm

Just heard the news and am so sorry to hear it. I will write more later, but tonight I just want to share a video I was fortunate enough film with him a few years ago. What a blessing he has been.

https://youtu.be/T0HZ4t0A79w

Nate Hanson

2/1/2019 12:07:00 pm

A few things I learned from Bob Mounce:

1. The process of the Christian life is concisely summarized in a single verse (Hebrews 10:14) “For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.” So we are already made perfect forever in one sense, AND we are still in the process of being changed toward perfection at the same time. Already, but not yet.

2. Paul’s boast of not being ashamed of the Gospel (Romans 1:16) was not written with the bravado of a proud Christian T-shirt, but rather with confidence in the fact that the Gospel always accomplishes what it needs to accomplish - it never left Paul in shame or full of shame for it being ineffective in what it was supposed to do.

3. It should be a joyful experience to share your gifts with others - Bob always seemed to be excited to teach and expound and open minds to what God’s word has to say.

4. God gave Bob Mounce more gifts than the average human being...but setting up a website was not one of them.

5. Retirement is not a real thing. I’m not sure that word had the same meaning for Bob as it does for most people.

I’m grateful I got to spend a short amount of time learning from him in a Bible study. He was a bigger deal than he let on - so full of knowledge, insight, and wisdom. I’ll never forget the time he gave Luke a ride in his “Transformer” (his silver convertible with an automatic “transforming” top). He and Rachel have blessed my family more than they will ever know. I’m looking forward to seeing him again one day!

Ray and Esther Rimbey

2/2/2019 07:53:56 pm

We look forward to spending an eternity with Jesus and Bob Mounce. He was an exceptional person who understood what authentic friendship meant. He will always remain in our hearts.

margaret and robert berglund

2/7/2019 02:45:58 pm

The physical presence of our dear, dear friend, Bob, has left us and that realization saddens us deeply; but we continue to feel his spiritual presence and we know that will never leave us. What a tremendous legacy he created as he served God in his preaching and writings on the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
We became friends with Bob when he began his tenure at Bethel College(now University) in the late 1950s. The many facets of this remarkable man was obvious to us immediately. In secular terms, one could define him as a "renaissance man." His intellect and status as a Biblical Scholar was revealed very early. We soon discovered he also was a musician who was a church organist. Our similar interests continued to grow. He was an athlete who would never allow any competitor to beat him in handball! It's difficult to think of anything he couldn't do.
He was loving and humble. We never heard him say an unkind word about anyone, even those who criticized and attacked him. He left all of those issues up to the Lord to handle for him.
When he married Jean, whose husband had died young of cancer, he took the responsibility of raising her two children whom he loved dearly. He always spoke affectionately of the children and gave them the same devotion and love he gave to his two biological children with Jean and adopted son, Doug. When Jean died, Bob subsequently married again when he was about 90 years old. We loved Jean who was an exceptional loving person and friend and we love his second wife, Rachel, who in so many ways reminds us of Jean.
So to our dear "Bobby" we say goodbye, aufwiedersehen, knowing we will meet again in Heaven.
Peace Perfect Peace...In this dark world of sin. The love of Jesus whispers Peace within. It is enough: earth's struggles soon shall cease, And Jesus calls us to heaven's Perfect Peace.
-Marge and Bob Berglund

Pastor Bob Mossman

2/27/2019 01:48:04 pm

Dr. Mounce was truly special! I did not know him well, but, as an alumnus of Whitworth College ( which he helped advance toward Whitworth University), I had several wonderful conversations with him. As a Christian intellectual, he was truly an authentic person in more ways that I can count.

His Revelation commentary is superb! Well done, Dr. Mounce!

Bob Mossman

Debbie Collette

6/27/2019 12:14:40 pm

My heart is heavy reading about Bob but knowing he is with our Savior and with his dear wife Jean brings me comfort. I met Bob when he came to our church in Gulf Breeze, Florida many years ago. I welcome them and became friends with both of them. He was so Inspirational. He led our Bible study for the short time he was there. They weren’t at our church very long but we kept in touch over the years through email. I hadn’t heard from him in a while and he didn’t respond to my email and I just happened to Google him and learned of his passing. He was an amazing man whom I will always treasure our friendship. I feel blessed to have known him and adorable Jean. My heart goes out to Rachel and his family. Love you Bob!😊🙏✝️

Obituary for Dr. Robert H. Mounce

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