Many Northwest members were positively impacted by the life and work of Walt Blehm, who passed to his rest Oct. 5, 2004, in Portland, Ore.

Born Oct. 13, 1923, in Hitchcock, Okla., he was the youngest of 10 children, nine boys and one girl. In 1934, his family moved to Scappoose, Ore. Blehm graduated from Portland Union Academy in 1943, and from Walla Walla College in 1946. On June 30, 1946, he married Shirley Ruud, and in that same year, began pastoral ministry in Oregon.

During 40 official years of ministry, Blehm served the Oregon, Southeastern California, and Pacific Union conferences as youth director and president. Blehm officially retired in 1986 and returned home to Oregon where he continued to serve in various capacities.

Besides his long service in conference leadership, he is especially remembered for his corporate vision for the development of Adventist Health, volunteer service within his church, and guidance for local organizations such as Portland Adventist Community Services.