Dr. Ron Attig (1951-2018)
On Thursday, March 29, our much-loved professor, Dr. Ron Attig, passed from this life to his eternal reward in Heaven. In honor of Dr. Attig’s life, ministry, and love for Nazarene Bible College, this Communicator will be comprised entirely of information about Dr. Attig.
Dr. Alan Lyke wrote: “Dr. Ronald L. Attig served Nazarene Bible College for 44 years. His section in the college catalog identified him as the Professor of Spiritual Formation and Oral Interpretation. But we all know he was much more than that. Ron was a friend and mentor, a musician and performer, a learner and teacher, a supporter and leader. He was a friend to NBC alumni, the source for college history, chief among the “Apostles’ Court Apostles,” and a key link between NBC’s beginnings and its tomorrows.”
I have read many of the tributes written by students, former students, faculty, staff, and friends of Nazarene Bible College. Again and again, those tributes echo the remarks made by Dr. Lyke and remind all of us of how we were blessed by God through this beloved professor.
Dr. Attig lived an exemplary life of holy love. During my last visit with him he said, “I have chosen not to focus on what I should give up during this season of Lent, rather I have chosen to live in the Resurrection.” We believe Dr. Ron Attig celebrated Easter Sunday with his Resurrected Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
President Harold B. Graves, Jr.
Obituary and Biography
Ronald L. Attig entered eternal rest, into the arms of his Savior, March 29, 2018, Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Ronald L. Attig was born on October 30, 1951 in Dubuque, Iowa to Walter and Martha Attig. While attending college at MidAmerica Nazarene College (now University), he met and fell in love with Ann Banz. Following his graduation from MNU, they married and moved to Colorado Springs, Colorado. They were blessed when two wonderful children, Heather and Heath, joined their family.
He committed his life to Christ at an early age, and was raised in a Church of the Nazarene parsonage. He was introduced to ministry as a way of life. As an adult, ministry took various forms through many local, district, and general church involvements; music contracts with the military; and community activities. However, it was his 44 year-long teaching ministry at Nazarene Bible College in which he found his greatest fulfillment.
He joined the faculty of NBC in 1973 and was privileged to have Dr. Audrey Williamson as a professional teaching mentor. While at NBC, he taught various general education and spiritual formation courses both on campus and online, chaired the division of General Studies, directed the Oke Bible Reading Award program, helped facilitate the DeLong Sermon preaching series, and served as registrar for two years.
In 1977, he received a master’s degree in communication at the University of Northern Colorado. In 1999, he was honored by his alma mater (MNU) with an honorary degree, Doctor of Humane Letters, and was also ordained as Deacon by the Church of the Nazarene. He retired from NBC in 2017 and was given the recognition of Professor Emeritus status by the college.
It was his compelling desire to know and do the will of God. That desire brought him to NBC and kept him coupled to this ministry through the years. There are hundreds of students throughout the U.S. and the world who are extending his influence as a result of sitting under his teaching. They confirm his effectiveness as a classroom instructor, his enthusiasm for teaching, and his valuable ministry through counseling and discipling.
He is survived by his wife, Ann, their daughter Heather McLaughlin (Corey), son Heath Attig (April), two grandchildren, Raleigh and Wesley; brothers David, Steve, and Sheridan Attig; sister Eneatha Attig Secrest; mother Martha Attig, and numerous other loved ones.
His personal hobbies and interests included hiking, photography, coin and stamp collecting, music, and travel.
The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made to the Attig Scholarship Fund at Nazarene Bible College, 17001 Prairie Star Parkway, Suite 300, Lenexa, KS 66220, (719) 884-5000.​