Sam Rutan

Long time, retired pastor of Central California Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, Sam Rutan died May 22, 2017 in Bakersfield at the age of 98.

He served as Pastor of Merced, Dinuba, Oakhurst, Hanford, Porterville, and Santa Maria churches. He started pastoring in 1945 for the Northern CA Conference, for the Paradise, Mt. Shasta, Eureka, and Willow churches. He retired in Porterville, the first time. Then after God called him back into the ministry for several years, retired again-this time to Bakersfield to be near daughters Linda Richards and Chris Satterlee. But retirement did not keep this preacher from doing the Lord's work. He often preached and taught Sabbath School at the Oildale Adventist church. When traveling became difficult in the last 6 months of his life, he still felt it his duty to share God's love by ministering to those around him. Even up to a week prior to his passing, he preached the weekly sermon at his retirement home.

He enjoyed a full life up to the end, always praying WITH someone or FOR someone. Never did you leave his presence without him saying a prayer for you-where he asked the Lord's blessing on you and that your walk with the Lord would grow deeper. His retirement center housemates all knew that he got up daily at 4 am-just so he could have several hours of undisturbed worship time with enough prayer time to be able to pray for EACH of his family members and friends. (They could hear him though the walls). Wherever he lived, that was his mission field.

He is survived by two daughters, Linda Richards and Chris Satterlee, and seven grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren, and a brother, John Kenneth Rutan of Woodland, CA and lots of cousins and many dear friends.

His Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, June 10th at 4 p.m., at the Bakersfield Central SDA Church (4201 Wilson Rd. Bakersfield CA 93309). All are welcome to attend. For more information, call Linda Richards at 661-345-5168. Discounted hotel rooms have been reserved for out of town travelers.