Sawatsky, Rodney J. (1943-2004)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 2004 Dec 6 p. 3

Birth date: 1943 Dec 5

text of obituary:

Former Messiah College president dies at 60

Sawatsky also was president of Conrad Grebel College

WATERLOO, Ont. — Rodney J. Sawatsky, former president of Messiah College and Conrad Grebel University College, died Nov. 27, only months after stepping down from Messiah's presidency because of the brain cancer that claimed his life.

Sawatsky, 60, died at his home in Waterloo, where he and his wife had returned after leaving Messiah. He had been Messiah's president from 1994 until June, when he retired.

Before leading Messiah, a Brethren in Christ college in Grantham, Pa., he was president of Conrad Grebel, a Mennonite college at the University of Waterloo, from 1989 to 1994.

"Messiah College has lost a dear friend, a visionary leader and a brilliant Christian educator," said Kim S. Phipps, messiah's interim president, in a statement. "Throughout President Sawatsky's illness, both Rod and [his wife] Lorna taught our community many lessons about grace, about faith and about living life with a profound sense of purpose. Rod Sawatsky will be greatly missed, vividly remembered and his legacy will deeply endure."

Sawatsky was diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumor in 2003 and announced his retirement in January. Before undergoing surgery in April, he sent a message to messiah students and faculty.

"The abundant life is defined by its quality and not its quantity," Sawatsky wrote. "In that spirit, we seek to live each day as fully and as joyfully as we can in spite of the uncertainties we face. We remain deeply grateful for God's active and continuing presence in our lives. . . . May we all remain people of hope rather than despair."

Sawatsky directed several initiatives to enhance Messiah's mission and quality. He helped draft a new mission statement and strategic plan for the college that emphasized service along with academic achievement.

Under Sawatsky's administration, the college strengthened its college ministries program, adding a full-time director of campus ministries and a college pastor.

In 1997, Messiah launched the Agapé Center, which coordinates Messiah's student service-learning programs, including various urban ministries, volunteer activities and other church and community service opportunities.

In October 2003, due to the success of Messiah's $50 million campaign, "To Serve & To Lead," the college finished construction of Boyer Hall, the campus' largest academic building, and opened the new Larsen Student union.

Messiah also established the Sider Institute, a center dedicated to Wesleyan, Anabaptist and Pietist studies, under Sawatsky's leadership.

Sawatsky was born Dec. 5, 1943, at Altona, Man., the son of Jacob and Catherine Sawatsky.

He graduated from Bethel College in North Newton, Kan., in 1965. He earned a master's degree in American history from the University of Minnesota and a master's degree and doctorate in American religious history from Princeton (N.J.) University.

At Conrad Grebel University College, he taught religious studies and history and served in several administrative roles. He edited the Conrad Grebel Review: A Journal of Christian Inquiry from 1987 to 1990.

Sawatsky became president in 1989 and was instrumental in developing the college's graduate program and in establishing the Toronto Mennonite Theological Centre.

In his final months, Sawatsky collaborated on a book called Gracious Christianity.

Sawatsky is survived by his wife of 40 years, Lorna Ewert Sawatsky; three daughters, Tanya of Waterloo and Lisa and Katherine, both of Toronto, a sister, Shirley Neufeld of Niagara-on-the-Lake; and three brothers, Terry of Abbotsford B.C., and Allen and Richard, both of Winnipeg, Man.

Funeral services were held Dec. 1 at First United Church of Waterloo. A public memorial service will be held at 7 p.m. Dec. 9 in Messiah's Brubaker Auditorium.