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Roy E. Knuteson, Biblical Archaeology Adviser

WISCONSIN RAPIDS, Wis.—Roy Emmett Knuteson, writer, pastor, and Biblical archaeology adviser, went to be the Lord on Feb. 5 at Saint Joseph’s Hospital in Marshfield at age 82, succumbing to the final stages of Parkinson’s disease. His children and loving wife were at his side.

Dr. Knuteson was a prolific writer, authoring numerous articles for Christian magazines. He wrote for Discerner Magazine, Christianity Today, Good News Broadcaster, Bibliotheca Sacra, and the Baptist Bulletin, along with several Sunday School curriculum guides for Regular Baptist Press. For years he taught the weekly radio broadcast Searching the Scriptures, reaching across America and into Quito, Ecuador.

Roy received his undergraduate degree from Northwestern University in Minneapolis, where he later taught as a professor of Biblical archaeology and New Testament Greek. He received a ThM degree from Dallas Theological Seminary and a PhD from California Graduate School of Theology.

In June 1950 he married his sweetheart, Gertrude Parker, of Pittsville, Wis. Together they served faithfully in churches and rest home ministries for over 60 years. Dr. Knuteson was pastor of churches in Alexandria, Minn.; Concord and Whittier, Calif.; and Fort Collins, Colo. He also served many years on the board of reference for Religion Analysis Service.

Roy and Gertrude were well traveled, having led several excursions to the Holy Land. He was instrumental in leading an expedition with the late astronaut Jim Irwin to document the Exodus route of the Israelites from Egypt into the land of Midian and to discover the Biblically correct site of Mount Sinai. He has also served as longtime adviser to the Biblical Archaeology, Search and Exploration Institute.

Roy is remembered by those who knew him as a man of uncompromising character, a man zealous to please Jesus Christ in each endeavor. He was always eager to share the good news of Christ’s offering of salvation to anyone willing to listen. He “fought the good fight.” He finished that special course set out for him—all the while anxiously awaiting the appearing of his Lord. He no longer waits.

Roy is preceded in death by his sister, Frances “Fran” Parker.

He is survived by his wife, Gertrude “Trudi”; two daughters, Becky Bulla and Carol Yaussi; a son, Randall; seven grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and his brother, George.

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