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Our region mourns the loss of a Godly man, Bob Wallace. He was our “go-to” guy whenever we had a Baptist Theology question or issue. I had just called him on one occasion just a few weeks ago. He eagerly served our region as a Sr. Pastor, Resource Minister, and Interim Pastor. I probably would not have been hired at FBC Santa Ana without the recommendation he gave to Dr. Chetti and Santa Ana’s board. I didn’t know him at the time; we often don’t know the blessings that are just ahead. Speaking of which, heaven will be just a little sweeter with Rev. Bob Wallace in residence. In the meantime, we will miss him. Please read more about Bob below.
Andy Q.
Dear Church Family,
I have just received word that Robert "Bob" Wallace, Pastor of First Baptist Church of Redlands 1973-83, passed away this morning. I met Bob when he was pastoring in Ann Arbor, MI. He assisted our church in the last Senior Pastor search, through which I came to this church.
Our prayers are with his wife, Peggy, and his family and friends.
The following is the announcement sent to those who live at Pilgrim Place, where he and Peggy have been living in their retirement.
Pastor Shawn Zambrows
Friends, it is with sadness that I announce Robert B. Wallace died peacefully at 6:15 this morning at the Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center. Bob’s wife Peggy and three of his children were with him till midnight last night.
Bob, born in 1933 in Phoenix, Arizona, was proud of his Scottish roots and heritage. Bob and Peggy moved to Pilgrim Place in 2007, the year they celebrated their 25th year of marriage.
After graduating from the University of Redlands with a major in sociology and psychology, he graduated in 1958 from the American Baptist Seminary of the West in Berkeley. Ordained at the First Baptist Church, he went on to ministry in various college communities, including Arizona State University, Penn State University, and University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, as well as pastor of Baptist churches in Redlands, CA and Melrose, MA. In retirement, Bob was the interim executive minister of the American Baptist Churches of Massachusetts and a regional associate for the American Baptist Congregations of the Southwest. If Bob was nothing else, he was a Baptist of Baptists!"
Dr. Samuel Chetti, ABCOFLASH Executive Minister Emeritus, said, "Bob helped me with several of our churches. He was a real blessing to me as we formed the new region and addressed critical issues of our ABC family."
The service to celebrate Bob's life will take place at Pilgrims's Place in Claremont in Decker Hall on June 8th.
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