José David Rodríguez Rivera, former missionary to Nicaragua
Read the obituary of José David Rodríguez Rivera, former missionary to Nicaragua
February 20, 1924-October 24, 2012
Global Ministries is saddened to learn of the death of former missionary to Nicaragua, José David Rodríguez Rivera. He died on October 24, 2012.
The life and ministry of José David Rodríguez Rivera was framed in a pastoral vision that combined several dimensions. The first was a call and commitment dimension. His career of over 60 years in pastoral ministry testifies convincingly. His unique fingerprints are evident in families who experienced his direct influence in an impressive variety of situations. He also was a proclaimer of the Word. His careful and meticulous study of Scripture provided him with his careful analysis of reality. He also was a fine theologian. His dedication to the task of theological education in Puerto Rico, Argentina, Nicaragua, and the United States testifies to his effort to equip, encourage, and challenge generations of students to face the challenges of being pastors at crucial times.
José David was born February 20, 1924, in Puerto Rico. He received his B.A. in philosophy from the University of Puerto Rico, a diploma from the Evangelical Seminary of Puerto Rico and a B.D. from Lutheran Theological Seminary in Philadelphia. Reverend Rodríguez completed a Master of Theology degree at the Evangelical Seminary of Puerto Rico in 1972 and went on to do graduate work at the Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago. He was ordained in the Lutheran Church in 1955.
José David Rodríguez Rivera was married to Carmen M. Rodríguez in 1946 and they were joined by three children: Carmen, Raquel, and José, Jr. Raquel Rodríguez and her husband, Carmelo Alvarez, served and serve as missionaries in Latin America through Global Ministries and also on the Indianapolis home-based staff. Reverend José David Rodríguez served as pastor at several churches in Puerto Rico and as a professor at Lutheran Theological Seminary in Argentina and the Evangelical Seminary of Puerto Rico. In 1989-1990, he served in Nicaragua as a lecturer at the Baptist Seminary of Nicaragua through Global Ministries.
Two memorial services will be held — one on October 25 at 7:30 PM in the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Lomas Verdes; the second service on Friday, October 26, at the Lutheran Church in Cataño. The funeral will be in Porta Coeli, in Bayamon, Puerto Rico. In lieu of flowers memorial gifts can be sent for the Theological Center Jose David Rodriguez in Puerto Rico to Global Ministries, P.O. Box 1986, Indianapolis, IN 46206. Condolences may be sent to: Mrs. Carmen M. Rodriguez, Urb. Extension Roosevelt, 520 Calle Arrigoitia, San Juan, PR 00918-2647 or to Reverend Raquel Rodriguez, 5357 North East River Road Apartment 101, Chicago IL 60656-2399.