Memorial for Erwin Gane

Erwin Roy Gane, father of faculty member Roy Gane, passed away in Fort Collins, Colorado, on Sept. 26, 2021, at the age of 90.

Erwin was born in Oakleigh, Victoria, Australia, on March 18, 1931. He studied theology and served as a Bible teacher, religion professor, and pastor throughout his career. Erwin was married to Winsome Lillian Baron from 1953 until her death in 2017 and together they had two sons, Roy and Calvin.

In Australia, Erwin taught at Sydney SDA High School (1952–1955) and Avondale College (1956–1961) and pastored at Cessnock in New South Wales (1961–1962). He emigrated to the United States with his family in 1962 in pursuit of graduate studies in theology, which he obtained at Andrews University (MA '63, MDiv '67, MTh '68) and the University of Nebraska (PhD '76). Erwin taught religion at Union College (1964–1973) and Pacific Union College (1974–1981) and pastored in Michigan, New Jersey and California. He served at the General Conference in the White Estate (1981–1983) and as the editor of the Adult Sabbath School Quarterly (1986–1995).

Over the course of his life, Erwin wrote nine books and several scholarly and professional articles. His burning ambition was to provide readable explanations of the Advent message and the books of Romans, Galatians and Revelation.

Erwin found great joy in discipling students and church members and leading them to a closer walk with Christ. He taught Sabbath School at the Adventure Church in Greeley, Colorado, well into his eighties and was always looking for opportunities to tell people about his Savior. 

Erwin was preceded in death by his wife, Winsome. He is survived by two sisters, Marie (m. to Lyle Munro) and Ruth (m. to Wallace Irvine); sons Roy (m. to Connie Clark) and Calvin (m. to Amy Grimes); grandchildren Adam Gane (m. to Mandi Griffin), Tiffany Gane (m. to Paul Seevers) and Sarah Gane (m. to Kevin Burton); and seven great-grandchildren. 

The memorial will be held at the Village SDA Church in Berrien Springs, Michigan, on Sunday, Nov. 7, at 5 p.m. The church is located at 635 St Joseph Ave, Berrien Springs, MI 49103. The memorial will be livestreamed on the Village Church YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/c/VillageSeventhdayAdventistChurch.

If you have memories you would like to share with the family, please sign the guestbook online at Kibbey-Fishburn Funeral Home. 

His family has established The Erwin Gane Memorial Scholarship Fund to honor his passion for Church History. The fund will benefit MA and PhD students studying Church History at the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary at Andrews University. To donate, please visit https://vault.andrews.edu/.../advancement/login/development and search for "The Erwin Gane Memorial Scholarship Fund."