Jere D. Patzer, North Pacific Union Conference president since 1996, died October 26 following a lengthy battle with non-Hodgkins lymphoma. He was 61.

Patzer was known for his commitment to evangelism—the veteran church leader personally conducted major outreach efforts on nearly every continent.

Patzer was an “inspiring leader” whose “words and actions were the same,” said Don C. Schneider, president for the Seventh-day Adventist Church in North America. “He told people that they ought to tell people about Jesus, and then he led by example.”

Born in Bozeman, Montana in 1946, Patzer graduated from Atlantic Union College in 1969 with degrees in business administration and religion. He pastored in New York and Pennsylvania before moving into conference leadership, directing youth ministries for the Pennsylvania, Oregon and North Pacific Union Conferences.

In 1982 Patzer moved to the Upper Columbia Conference headquartered in Spokane, Washington, where he served 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 Seventh-day Adventist Church’s administrative headquarters in the Northwest United States. 

Patzer later earned a master’s degree in Business Administration and a doctorate degree in Ministry from church-owned Andrews University Theological Seminary in Berrien Springs, Michigan. He authored four books and, at the time of his death, was serving as chair of the Adventist Health board of directors and the Walla Walla University board.

Bryce Pascoe, executive secretary and acting president for North Pacific Union Conference, said Patzer would be remembered not only for his “bold” outreach efforts, but also for his strong leadership skills. “Colleagues and friends around the world have all been richly blessed by Jere’s ministry,” Pascoe added.

Patzer is survived by his wife, Sue, who serves as the director of Women’s Ministries for the region, two sons and a daughter. A public memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. on Saturday, November 15, at the Meadow Glade Adventist Church in Battle Ground, Washington.