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Valencia, Héctor (1920-2003)
Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 2003 Jul 28 p. 7
Birth date: 1920 Mar 3
text of obituary:
By Angela Rempel
Mennonite Mission Network
NEWTON, Kan. — Héctor Valencia, who made significant contributions to both the Mennonites and Presbyterians in his native Colombia as well as in the United States, died July 9 in Bogotá. He was 83.
Valencia was secretary for Latin America for the General Conference Mennonite Church's Commission on Overseas Mission in Newton from 1975 to 1980.
"Héctor was the first and only non-North American to hold a staff position [in the Newton office] at that time," said Howard Habegger, who was executive secretary of COM during those years.
Habegger first met Valencia in 1956 while playing basketball internationally. Their acquaintance deepened when Habegger served with COM in Colombia from 1963 to 1968.
Upon returning to Colombia in 1981, Valencia became executive secretary of the Mennonite Church of Colombia, serving until 1984.
Valencia was born March 3, 1920, in Bogotá, Colombia. In 1950, he married Mary Becker, originally from Newton and one of the first four missionaries sent to Colombia in 1945 by the GC mission board. She survives and lives in Bogotá. Their two children, maria Victoria and Daniel Alfonso, also survive, along with two grandchildren.
Valencia received a master's degree in 1948 and a doctorate in 1953 from Ohio State University.
He was associate professor of Spanish and Latin America studies at Bluffton (Ohio) College from 1964 to 1966 and during the summer of 1968.
Valencia was director of the Colegios Americanos in Bogotá, Barranquilla and Ibagué and secretary of education for the Presbyterian synod in Colombia.
He was one of the founders of the Bible Society in Colombia and the first president of its board of directors. Most recently he was president of the board of directors of the Colombian Mennonite Biblical Seminary in Bogotá.
Many people sought Valencia for his wise counsel and help. He will be remembered for his dedication and commitment, his disposition to listen, his generosity, his tolerance for others' ideas and above all for his exemplary life.
A worship service of remembrance was held July 10 at Teusaquillo Mennonite Church in Bogotá.