Death of Jon L. Dybdahl

Former Walla Walla University president, professor and long-time Walla Walla Valley resident Jon Dybdahl passed away Wednesday morning, Jan. 18. Dybdahl was president from 2002 to 2006. He taught theology at WWU for 13 years starting in 1976.

Prior to accepting the presidency of WWU, Dybdahl served as professor and chair of the Department of World Mission at Andrews University and director of the Institute of World Mission. He was also a church pastor in both Northern California and Southeast Asia Union College in Singapore. He was at various times a pastor, evangelist and college president in Thailand, where he was instrumental in founding Chiang Mai Adventist Academy.

While teaching at WWU, Jon received the Zapara Award for Excellence in Teaching. Under his presidency at WWU, the old Administration Building was demolished and rebuilt, what was then Walla Walla College began the process of changing their name, and the student missionary program flourished.

Dybdahl held a master’s degree in systematic theology and a Master of Divinity from Andrews University. He completed doctoral studies in Old Testament at Fuller Theological Seminary. He was also the author of multiple books and articles.

In 2008, Dybdahl was selected by the General Conference and Andrews University to be the general editor of the Andrews Study Bible. He supervised the work of a team of scholars who collectively produced the study notes and other material for a widely popular Bible for the church. Since 2010, the Andrews Study Bible has gone through 16 more printings in the New King James Version and in the New International Version, with many scores of thousands of copies sold for personal Bible study, evangelism outreach and prison ministry. “This part of Dybdahl’s profound legacy to the church will live on for generations,” says Ronald Knott, director of Andrews University Press.

Dybdahl is survived by wife Kathy of College Place; daughter Krista Croft of Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri; and son Paul of Walla Walla. Daughter Jonna Buell preceded him in death.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, Feb. 26, at 11 a.m. in the Walla Walla University Church. Messages of condolence may be sent to WWU Alumni and Advancement Services, 204 S. College Ave., College Place, WA 99324 or via email to alumni@wallawalla.edu.