R.R. Bietz One of God's Special Servants On Nov. 6, 2005, R.R. Bietz passed away peacefully of old age at his home in Vancouver, Wash. He was 99 years old and a member of the Sunnyside Church in Portland. R.R. Bietz’s leadership spanned 59 years. He was a pastor/evangelist; a youth department director; and president of the Texico Conference, Southern New England Conference, Southern California Conference and the Pacific Union Conference. In 1968, he was elected as a general vice president of the General Conference, serving there until his retirement in 1974. He married Martha Reiswig in 1931 who passed away in 1973. Duane S. Bietz and Gordon G. Bietz were born to that marriage. Duane is a retired surgeon in Portland, and Gordon is the president of Southern Adventist University, Collegedale, Tenn. In 1974, Bietz married Vivienne Craig who passed away in 1990. In 1991, he married Pee Zee Abernathy who cared for him until his death. He is survived by four grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Jere Patzer, North Pacific Union Conference president, said, “With the death of Elder R.R. Bietz the church lays to rest one of its great leaders. Due to the passing of years, it is sometimes easy to forget the caliber and contribution of some of our finest. Yet R.R. will be remembered for his bearing, his professionalism and his commitment. He was respected as a trainer, motivator and example. He was a leader’s leader, and in a sense, his death marks the end of an era. We join the family in anticipating the resurrection call of our Great Leader.”
R.R. Bietz
One of God's Special Servants
On Nov. 6, 2005, R.R. Bietz passed away peacefully of old age at his home in Vancouver, Wash. He was 99 years old and a member of the Sunnyside Church in Portland.
R.R. Bietz’s leadership spanned 59 years. He was a pastor/evangelist; a youth department director; and president of the Texico Conference, Southern New England Conference, Southern California Conference and the Pacific Union Conference. In 1968, he was elected as a general vice president of the General Conference, serving there until his retirement in 1974.
He married Martha Reiswig in 1931 who passed away in 1973. Duane S. Bietz and Gordon G. Bietz were born to that marriage. Duane is a retired surgeon in Portland, and Gordon is the president of Southern Adventist University, Collegedale, Tenn. In 1974, Bietz married Vivienne Craig who passed away in 1990. In 1991, he married Pee Zee Abernathy who cared for him until his death. He is survived by four grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
Jere Patzer, North Pacific Union Conference president, said, “With the death of Elder R.R. Bietz the church lays to rest one of its great leaders. Due to the passing of years, it is sometimes easy to forget the caliber and contribution of some of our finest. Yet R.R. will be remembered for his bearing, his professionalism and his commitment. He was respected as a trainer, motivator and example. He was a leader’s leader, and in a sense, his death marks the end of an era. We join the family in anticipating the resurrection call of our Great Leader.”
R.R. Bietz, 19062005
