Obituary of Palmer Gale Tetz

Palmer Gale “Bob” Tetz—beloved husband, father, pastor, leader, mentor and friend—died peacefully in Durham, N.C., on June 10, 2023, of acute leukemia. He was 87.
Bob was born in Peace River, Alberta, Canada, on March 1, 1936, to Albert and Blanche Tetz. While attending Canadian Union College (now Burman University), he married Myrna Johnson in 1959. After completing seminary training at Andrews University, he began an extraordinary ministry in the Seventh-Day Adventist church that spanned the next six decades.
Much of Bob’s pastoral career was spent in British Columbia, Canada, where he led more than a dozen Adventist churches, including two in retirement. During a ten-year stint at the Vancouver Central church, he created and hosted Lifestyle Line, a weekly radio talk show focused on health and wellness. Bob also pastored churches in Saskatchewan and Maryland.
Leadership roles within the Adventist church included serving as Youth Director of the British Columbia Conference, where he revitalized the summer camp program and helped establish a permanent location. He also spent seven years as Vice President for Advancement at Burman University, and was the primary fundraising force behind the construction of the Chan Shun Science Pavilion.
Since his passing, in hundreds of Facebook messages, Bob has been lauded for his love for others, wit, kindness, integrity and unwavering devotion to his church and family. “A pillar has fallen,” posted one long-time friend. “He was God’s Hero,” added another.
Bob is survived by his two children, Gary and Linda, three grandchildren, Chris, Corey and Sara-Leina, and three siblings, Emmett, Alberta and Lou-Ann.
Bob’s life will be celebrated at an upcoming memorial service at a time and location still to be determined. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Burman University or Okanagan Christian School.