Mort Juberg, GLEANER editor from 1978–1991, died Tuesday morning, Dec. 30, 2008, just three and a half weeks shy of his 87th birthday.
Juberg joined the Seventh-day Adventist Church after living with and working for an Adventist family in South Dakota. That decision led him to Union College, in Lincoln, Neb., where he determined to study for the ministry. While there, he continued an affinity for journalism begun in high school, editing both the college newspaper and yearbook. He graduated in 1948 with a bachelor's degree in theology.
He initially worked as a carpenter and pastor before joining the Wyoming Conference in 1950 as director of lay activities, public relations, publishing, Sabbath School, temperance and radio-TV. While there, he was ordained to gospel ministry.
Together with his wife, Lorraine, and growing family, Mort transferred to the Michigan Conference in 1955, where he served as communication director until 1963. He organized the conference-sponsored float, which won first place at the Detroit State Fair for many summers.
Following a two-year stint as a departmental director for the Southern California Conference where Mort produced a weekly telecast called The Adventist Hour, he and Lorraine moved to the Washington, D.C., area, where he became communication director and editor of the union magazine, the Columbia Union Visitor.
The Jubergs came to the Northwest in 1973. Mort initially took on the communication director post, and then added GLEANER editor to his title in 1978.
Mort traveled throughout the Northwest with his ever-present camera bag over one shoulder. He could "smell" news if there was any and lent an eager ear to anyone willing to tell their story.
Ed Schwisow, who interned under Juberg and later took over as GLEANER editor in 1991 when Mort retired, remembers him fondly.
“During his years of service, to my knowledge he was the most productive, visionary producer of quality new materials in Adventist communication, anywhere in the world,” says Schwisow. “Mort was an inspiration to many in his life, and I was privileged to have a ‘box seat’ in his career for 15 of those years. I value what I learned from him, and only wish I could always meet the standards he set.”
Mort worked hard and was always full of energy. Friends knew him as a joyful, happy man, and an eternal optimist. For many years he was the self-appointed greeter for Sabbath services at the Hood View Church in Boring, Ore. A number of folks have said they looked forward to coming to church to see him.
Mort and Lorraine were married for 61 years. (See a specific obituary on page 34). Those who wish to make memorial contributions in Juberg's memory can direct them to either Gospel Outreach or Adventist Frontier Missions.
Mort Juberg, GLEANER editor from 1978–1991, died Tuesday morning, Dec. 30, 2008, just three and a half weeks shy of his 87th birthday.
