Russell Wayne Irwin

Russell Wayne Irwin, 91, of Noblesville, IN, met his Lord and Savior face to face at 7:30 am on November 14, 2019. He had been looking forward to this day his whole adult life with great anticipation!

Russell was born June 23, 1928, in Noblesville to the late Maurice and Rosa (Stottlemeyer) Irwin. During high school he committed himself to follow the Lord wherever He led him. His senior year of college at Indiana University, Bloomington, he fell in love with a first-year med student, Phyllis Vivian Roggenkamp, who felt called by God to serve overseas. They were married in 1952 and served together with The Evangelical Alliance Mission (TEAM) at Bach Christian Hospital in northern Pakistan for 35 years, followed by 4 years in the Pakistani city of Lahore.

He is survived by his wife of 67 years; his children Patty McGarvey (Carl), Nate Irwin (Marty), and Cindy Irwin; his grandchildren Kristy McGarvey, Nathan McGarvey, David McGarvey (Jennifer), Tim Irwin (Aimee), Jessica Irwin, and Leslie Esch (Mike); and 4 great-grandchildren, Silas & Auggie McGarvey and Titus & Elise Irwin.

A little-known fact about Russell: he owned and flew a Piper Cub airplane in high school and taught his father how to fly. On his first date with Phyllis she did not believe that he was a pilot. They stopped under a street light where he took out his pilot’s license and showed her. Convinced, she allowed him to take her for a spin, which turned into more than she anticipated as he did loopty-loops in the sky.

This exciting adventure was only the first of many, as together they prepared for service overseas. Russ completed his M.Div. at Grace Theological Seminary while Phyllis finished her M.D. at Indiana University Medical School. In 1956, they boarded a ship with baby Patty and sailed to Pakistan via the Atlantic, Mediterranean, and Indian Oceans. Russ’s numerous skills were put to use as he helped get Bach Christian Hospital established, including setting up of the X-ray machine and teaching the first technician how to take and develop X-rays, installing the hospital generator, and supervising the digging of a well. He continued to oversee the maintenance of the hospital for many years. An avid piano player, he learned how to tune pianos and became the piano tuner for Murree Christian School where his children attended school.

He gained exceptional fluency in Urdu, enabling him to build enduring relationships with Pakistanis. Over the years he patiently spent many hours with people, sitting and talking, sharing his faith, helping in all variety of ways. He would stop what he was doing to give his full attention to whomever, whether his own children or people dropping by. He was instrumental in the launching of Theological Education by Extension in Pakistan (a program designed to train people in the Scriptures without them having to go away to a Bible school), writing Bible courses and leading studies. There are now over 6000 students studying in what has become the Open Theological Seminary. He was very involved with TEAM’s association of churches and was also instrumental in the founding of Zarephath Bible Institute (now Seminary). His unique teaching style and humor were appreciated by all who were privileged to learn from him.

After retiring to his native Indiana his pace of life continued. He authored 2 books (The Impossible Command and The Peanut Butter Man), preached and taught, and continued to be a spiritual influence on many. He was involved in the Crescent Project and served on the board of the Zwemer Institute. He was actively invested in the ministries of Faith Church and Prairie Baptist Church. He and Phyllis also returned to Pakistan several times for specific ministry opportunities.

To give God the glory for the legacy of this special man, a memorial service will be held at 3:00 pm on November 23rd at Faith Church in Indianapolis. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to TEAM for Zarephath Bible Seminary at www.team.org or mailed to PO Box 1986, Grapevine, TX 76099-1986.

“Well done, thou good and faithful servant.”