In Memoriam

Rev. Robert Recker

1923 – 2007

Rev. Robert Recker, a pastor, missionary, missions professor, humble Christian witness, and loyal friend, died Dec. 17, 2007, from pancreatic cancer. He was 84.

Recker was born in 1923 in Highland, Ind., and grew up in De Motte, Ind., where he attended elementary and high school. He graduated from Calvin College in 1944 and in 1947 received a master’s-of-theology degree from Calvin Theological Seminary. That same year he married Constance Ruth Hoekstra.

The young couple began the ministry in 1947 in Momence, Ill., where Bob became pastor of a Christian Reformed church. Their hearts, however, were increasingly drawn to the church’s missionary challenge, and when Christian Reformed World Missions invited them in 1951 to serve in Nigeria, they readily accepted. For the next 15 years Bob and Connie served diligently to spread the gospel in Nigeria and train national leaders of the Christian Reformed Church of Nigeria. In 1966 Calvin Seminary appointed Bob professor of missiology. While in Nigeria and at Calvin Seminary, he completed the requirements for a doctorate from the Free University of Amsterdam. He retired in 1988.

Recker was a careful scholar, an inspiring teacher, a dedicated church leader, a generous human being, and a wonderful family man, but he will probably be remembered most for his unflagging zeal to witness for his Savior.

He is survived by his wife, Constance; their children, Paul and Nancy Recker, William and Linda Recker, Theodore and Eunice Recker, Robert and Sandra Recker, Timothy and Judith Recker, and Mark and Diane Recker; and by 15 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.