Elmer Merrill Dortzbach

Elmer Merrill Dortzbach, 90, of Penney Farms, FL entered into his Father’s Presence on Sunday, September 16, 2012. Mr. Dortzbach was born on August 9, 1922 to parents Fred and Clara Dortzbach in Karuizawa, Japan. He lived there for the first few years until his parents and elder brother moved to Arlington, VA. Elmer was one of four children. He graduated from Moody Bible Institute in 1942, after that he earned a BA degree from Wheaton College in 1944, continuing his ministry by attending Westminster Seminary and received an MDiv in 1949. He earned an MA in Church History in 1950 and finally finished his educational journey at the University of Colorado with a PhD in 1975. While training for the ministry he met his wife Marjorie, whom he married on June 17, 1944. After ordination in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church in 1952, Elmer and Marjorie served together in four pastorates: Long Island, NY; Denver, CO; Atlanta, GA and Thornton, CO. In 1976 he began a teaching ministry that took him to Barrington College, then to RTS, in Jackson, MS and finally to Chesapeake Seminary in Baltimore, MD. Over those ten years Elmer and Marjorie continued pastoring various congregations. In 1985 he was the chaplain for a retirement community in Baltimore. Elmer is survived by his loving and faithful wife, Marjorie; children, Jeanette Kay, Karl and Karen; 6 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren. Memorial services will be held in his honor at the Penney Memorial Church on Saturday, November 3, 2012 at 2:30 pm. Please sign the online guestbook at www.broadusraines.com. Arrangements are under the care of Broadus-Raines Funeral Home, 501 Spring Street, Green Cove Springs, FL (904) 284-4000.