Robert Wenz Obituary

Robert Thomas Wenz, 62, passed away in Colorado Springs on May 10, 2012, after a long battle with lung disease. Born October 10, 1949, in Toledo, Ohio, to the late Harry and Bernice Wenz, he was raised in Park Ridge, Illinois. He attended Maine South High School and later earned bachelor's and master's degrees in speech communication from Arizona State University, a master's degree in religion from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, and a doctor of ministry degree from Bethel Theological Seminary. Bob served as the senior pastor of churches in Michigan, New York, California and Maryland, during which time he also developed an international teaching and training ministry for national church pastors, serving in nearly 40 countries. He also for many years served as an active board member for the National Association of Evangelicals. He held ministerial credentials with the Christian and Missionary Alliance as well with the Conservative Congregational Christian Conference. Following 25 years in pastoral ministry and a tenure as vice president of the National Association of Evangelicals, in recent years Bob developed a teaching, training, and coaching ministry for churches and pastors, and served as a consultant for such organizations as Ravi Zacharias International Ministries, the Association of Gospel Rescue Missions and PastorSERVE. He also taught courses in biblical studies, church history, preaching and apologetics for undergraduate and graduate students at the King's College and Seminary (Colorado Springs location) and also served as adjunct professor of philosophy at the Pikes Peak Community College. Bob authored several books and regularly contributed to Christianity Today, aLife, and other publications. He served actively at Woodmen Valley Chapel and North Springs Alliance Church in Colorado Springs. Devoted to his family and a mentor and friend to many, he was an avid golfer and enjoyed cooking. Bob is survived by Suellen, his wife of 35 years; a son, Andrew; a daughter, Lauren Hardy (Jason); and a granddaughter, Kelley Hardy. He also leaves behind three brothers: Clifford (Marilyn) of Bloomingdale, Illinois; Paul (Crystal) of Tempe, Arizona; Richard (Eloise) of Bonita Springs, Florida; and a sister, Elaine Hansen (Leonard) of Elmhurst, Illinois. An older brother, Philip (Darlene), preceded him in death. A celebration of life will be held at 4 p.m. on Friday, May 18, at the North Springs Alliance Church, 1702 Chapel Hills Drive, Colorado Springs. Swan-Law Funeral Directors are handling arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Christian and Missionary Alliance or Compassion International, both of Colorado Springs.