Death of Ivan T. Blazen

Ivan T. Blazen, 89, was born on Sept. 17, 1934, in Buffalo, New York. He entered into rest on Dec. 4, 2023, in Loma Linda, California, surrounded by the love of his wife and daughters.

Blazen was preceded in death by parents, Matthew and Antoinette Blazen; former wife and mother of his daughters, Paddy Jean Blazen; brother, Matthew Blazen; and stepchildren, Shawn and Leanna Peterson.

He is survived by his loving wife, Deanna Blazen, a partner in both life and faith, who resides in Loma Linda, California. He is also survived by daughters, Lynell (Steve) Babienco, Yvonne (Darik) Doggett and Jean Blazen; grandchildren, Ryan (Brianna) Babienco, Michael (Caitlyn) Babienco, Kristin Babienco, Chad Doggett and Lauren Doggett; and great-grandchildren, Clarkston Babienco and Adelyn Babienco.

Blazen graduated from Cass Technical High School in Detroit, Michigan, where he especially enjoyed his music classes and playing his trumpet. He received a BA from Emmanuel Missionary College (now Andrews University) in 1957 and then pursued graduate studies at several universities and seminaries. These included Potomac University (now Andrews University), where he received an MA in 1958, the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary, where he received an MDiv in 1963, Union Theological Seminary in New York City, The University of Heidelberg in Heidelberg, Germany, Drew University in Madison, New Jersey and Princeton Theological Seminary in Princeton, New Jersey, where he received his PhD in 1979.

Blazen was a true scholar and a man of faith who dedicated his life to the study and teaching of the Bible. He served as an instructor at Emmanuel Missionary College for several years in the 1960s while he continued his education. Later, he served at Andrews University and the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary from 1970 to 1988, eight of those years as chair of the Department of New Testament at the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary. He was also professor of religion at Pacific Union College from 1990 to 1993 and professor of biblical interpretation and theology at the Loma Linda University School of Religion from 1988–90 and from 1993 until his retirement in 2010.

Blazen was one of the preeminent New Testament scholars of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. He had an unquenchable desire for knowledge and a fierce love of his students. His greatest passion was teaching others about the Gospel and the miraculous love and salvation through Jesus Christ. Blazen’s love for these truths inspired countless college, seminary and medical students during his tenure, and he was a much sought-after speaker. Blazen’s insights continue to inspire through his written and recorded words. His publications include the books “The Gospel on the Street: Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians” (Pacific Press, 1997) and “A Call to Ministry: Paul’s Second Letter to the Corinthians” (Pacific Press, 1998) as well as numerous book chapters, articles and other church publications.

A memorial service will be held at the Andrews University Seminary Chapel on Friday, Dec. 15 at 1 p.m., followed by a private burial at Rose Hill Cemetery in Berrien Springs. The memorial will be livestreamed. A service to celebrate the life of Ivan T. Blazen will also be held at a later date in Loma Linda, California. 

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Daniel Augsburger Endowed Scholarship Fund at Andrews University or to the Loma Linda University School of Religion. 

Memories of Blazen may be left for his family at www.AllredFuneralHome.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Allred Funeral Home, Berrien Springs.