Staying Connected
Don Hawkins (ThM, 1974) spoke at the Leadership Conference at Mission India Theological Seminary in Nagpur, India. The mission reported that over 2,000 people attended the conference. Don also taught a weeklong course on discipleship. (File: Connection-Don Hawkins)
John R. Brown (ThM, 1999) and Brian Wright (ThM, 2010) recently released a new box set for children called God’s Daring Dozen—a picture book series that uses vivid images and simple words to tell the stories of the minor prophets and shows how the prophets point to Jesus. Christianity Today recently released an article featuring the box set. You can read the article here.
Events
Korean Alumni Gathering in Dallas, Texas
Alumni Centennial Breakfast in Dallas, Texas
Alumni Centennial Dinner in Miami, Florida
Alumni Centennial Dinner in Boston, Massachusetts
Centennial Campus Celebration in Washington D.C.
In Memory
Wellington Paul Wetzler (ThM, 1956), of Portland, Oregon, passed away on Thursday, August 29, 2024 at the age of ninety-seven.
Lou Barbieri’s (ThM, 1965; ThD, 1968) wife, Carol, breathed her first breath of heavenly air on November 6, 2024. Carol, the only child of Ken and Irene Robinson, was born on June 14, 1941. After World War II, Carol’s family moved from Washington to California, where Carol finished high school and enrolled at Westmont College in Santa Barbara in 1959. That fall she met Lou Barbieri in her choir class. He asked her on a date to a Sunday evening church service. They married on December 16, 1961. It was Lou’s first year at Dallas Theological Seminary. During their sixty-two years together, they lived either in Dallas or Chicago.
Carol loved people deeply. She was an extremely supportive wife and loving mother and grandmother. Once her children were all in school, Carol worked part-time in Dallas public schools in various administrative roles. Many of her administrative roles were related to doctor’s offices, and she was the best person to greet you at the door. Her warm smile, one of her beautiful qualities, made relationships with people easy. She greatly loved the New Commandment Sunday school she attended at Orchard Evangelical Free Church. So many special friends came out of that class and other church classes she attended.
Carol also loved music and travel. Above all, Carol loved the Lord Jesus and was actively involved in various women’s Bible studies throughout her life. Carol first met her Savior as a child, learning she had a sinful heart and how Jesus Christ came into this world to offer himself for her sin. Upon putting her faith in his accomplished work, she knew her heart was clean, and that one day she would walk on streets of gold with her Savior. Carol is survived by her husband and other family members, including her sons, nine grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents and her daughter, Joanne.
Dick Wohlgemuth’s (ThM, 1973) wife Susan (Sue) fell asleep in her Savior’s arms on September 30, 2024, in La Crosse, Wisconsin. She was born in Ohio on July 1, 1947, to her parents, Reid and Roberta McKee. Susan realized her need for her Savior at a young age. Her faith served as her anchor and hope throughout life’s trials. After a move to California and her high school graduation, Susan attended Calvary Bible College in Kansas City, Missouri, where she met her husband, Dick. After their wedding, they headed to Dallas Theological Seminary. Susan worked and earned her BS in Elementary Education while her husband worked and took classes. Susan faithfully served as a pastor’s wife in churches throughout the Dakotas, Minnesota, and Iowa. She found great joy in serving alongside Dick, visiting homes, leading choruses, teaching Sunday school, directing Christmas musicals, and participating in various women’s ministries. Susan also enjoyed creative projects, and her Sunday dinners and baked goods will be well remembered. Dick and Susan welcomed six children into the world, and Dick and the rest of his family will forever cherish Susan’s memory.
Jerry (Gerald) Smith (ThM, 1983) was born in Shawnee, Oklahoma. He held the flat prairies stretching across Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas close to his heart throughout his life. Jerry graduated from the University of Oklahoma and pursued a successful business career until a dear neighbor and family friend introduced Jerry and his young family to the Lord. In 1979, Jerry moved his family to Dallas, Texas, to pursue his ThM at the seminary. Afterward, he pastored Calgary Evangelical Bible Church in Alberta, Canada; Fort Smith Bible Fellowship in Arkansas; and Christ Fellowship in Franklin, Tennessee, where he served for thirty years. During their retirement, Jerry and his wife Diane moved to Great Bend, Kansas, where Jerry ministered to a small body of believers at Eden Valley Church of the Brethren until their health led them to return to their family in Tennessee. Jerry left his mark on so many people through countless conversations over coffee and his Bible teaching. He loved to fish (especially in Arkansas), enjoyed photography, spoiled his Keeshond puppies, cooked legendary sausage gravy, and doted on his Lady Di. His care for Diane as she struggled with Alzheimer’s in her later years modeled unconditional love as Jerry cared for his wife in sickness and in health with a Christ-like love.
D. Joe (Joey) Robison (MACE, 1999) of Caddo Mills, Texas, passed away on October 5, 2024. Born in California on December 13, 1967, to Dale and Bobbye, Joey earned his BA from Baylor University before earning his counseling degree from DTS. Joey married his wife, Valerie, on August 15, 1992. They were married for thirty-two years. Joey worked as a minister for thirty years before entering retirement. He enjoyed singing with friends and family or cooking and sharing yummy food. He loved his dogs too. Joey participated in multiple youth outreach programs. Joey is survived by his wife, their children, and other family members, who all miss him.
