Robert F. Luinstra

Bob Luinstra is resting peacefully in the presence of his Lord. Robert Francis Luinstra was born in Iowa City, Iowa on August 24, 1945, and adopted by Harold and Dawn Luinstra four months later. He grew up in May City, Iowa and later earned degrees from St. Paul’s College, Concordia, Missouri; Concordia Teacher’s College, Seward, Nebraska; and a Master of Divinity Degree from Concordia Theological Seminary, Springfield, Illinois. On August 20, 1967, he married Donna Renquist of Fort Dodge, Iowa, also a graduate of Concordia Teacher’s College. Following ordination at his home church in May City, Iowa in July of 1971, Bob served as campus pastor of North Dakota State University and co-Pastor at Immanuel Lutheran in Fargo, ND. From there he concurrently served two parishes in Iowa: St. Paul Lutheran in Delaware and Our Savior Lutheran in Manchester from 1971 to 1979. He then headed west to take the helm of Mt. Olive Lutheran in Billings, Montana for nine years, followed by Holy Cross Lutheran in Spokane, Washington until 1998. His final parish, and the one he served longest, was Trinity Lutheran Church and School in Bend, Oregon where he presided over considerable growth in facilities, membership, and school enrollment. During his ministry, Bob held numerous leadership roles including circuit counselor and pastoral counselor for the Lutheran Laymen’s League (LLL). He was dedicated to Christian education, serving as chair of the Board of Education of Montana District, leading Ongoing Ambassadors for Christ, and supervising ten vicars (student pastors) over the course of his Ministry. He took great pleasure in greeting students every morning at Trinity School. Bob was passionate about mission service and was blessed with many opportunities to travel for this purpose. He and Donna had mission trips to Guatemala, Panama, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, and Grand Cayman. Bob served the community as well as his congregations. He was active in Lions Clubs in the various cities he lived in and Habitat for Humanity of Central Oregon. In Spokane, he served on the Board of Directors at Riverview Retirement Community. An avid sports fan, Bob coached his kids in Little League and for many years played softball. He coached basketball in the Lutheran schools associated with churches he served in Spokane and Bend. He relished watching college basketball, especially the Gonzaga Bulldogs. He was a lifelong outdoor enthusiast, hiking, hunting, kayaking, and fishing in all the best spots in Iowa, Montana, Washington, and Oregon. Bob is survived by his wife of nearly 56 years, Donna, daughter Amy Luinstra with husband Wim De Groof and children Alexander and Sebastian, and son, Michael Luinstra with wife Donna and children Madison and Jace.

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Robert F. Luinstra

August 24, 1945 - August 8, 2023