Forrest E. Whitlatch, retired Iowa district superintendent, passed away October 21. He was 90.

Whitlatch began his ministry in Iowa after graduating from Olivet Nazarene College (now University). He pastored four churches in Iowa and was elected superintendent of the Iowa District in 1970, a position he held for 20 years. Under Whitlatch's leadership, the Iowa District had its most significant growth, and every church he pastored grew.

Whitlatch was a member of the Mid America Nazarene College (now MidAmerica Nazarene University) Board of Trustees for 20 years and chairman for 14. He served on the Church of the Nazarene's General Board missions and finance committees.

After his retirement, he served as interim D.S. and assisted Iowa district superintendents with pastoral reviews and interviews. He returned to pastor Cedar Rapids First Church of the Nazarene for the second time in his retirement. He was an Iowan through and through, spending his entire ministry in the Hawkeye State.

He was an innovator, a "pastor to his pastors," and was instrumental in the planting of several churches while D.S. He also was the author of a book about the Church of the Nazarene in Iowa, On Good Soil, and was mentor to many. While in the pastorate, many young men and women were called into full-time Christian service. 

A funeral was held at Cedar Rapids First Church with Gary Henecke, who was saved under Whitlatch's ministry, and Pastor Tim Carter officiating, assisted by current Iowa D.S. Kim Smith and Indiana Wesleyan University Professor Dave Arnold. Music was provided by Bill Green and Janelle Casey Miller, both of whom served as music/worship leaders under Whitlatch, and along with Arnold and Henecke were Cedar Rapids First church youth during his first pastorate there.

General Superintendent Emeritus James H. Diehl, who pastored under Whitlatch, said, "A saint of God has been carried home. Long live the memory of the friend to all of us — Dr. Forrest Whitlatch."
--NCN News submissions

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