Boger, Walter (1934–1998)

Walter Boger, pastor and administrator, was born June 16, 1934, in the city of São Leopoldo, state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.¹ He was son of Herbert Boger (1913-1995), Romanian,² and Esther Schwantes Boger (1905-1968).³ On his mother side, he represented the fourth generation of Adventists and, on his father side, the second. His grandfather was the pioneer Ernesto Schwantes, one of the first Adventist missionaries to work in the south of Brazil.⁴

Walter attended the Adventist School of Ijuí, state of Rio Grande do Sul, where he completed the first part of elementary school in 1945. In 1946, he took the preparatory course to enter the gymnasium in Augusto Pestana Evangelic School, in the same city. In 1948 he was sent to the Adventist Taquara Academy (now Cruzeiro do Sul Adventist Academy), also in Rio Grande do Sul, where he completed elementary school in 1952.⁵ While studying in Taquara Academy, he was chosen to represent the institution in the First Youth Congress of the South Brazil Union Conference. In 1953, in Ijuí, he completed the first year of accounting at high school, and the following year he went to Brazil College where he finished the last two years of high school (1954-1955).⁶ Influenced by the spiritual environment of the school and by his mother’s prayers, he felt he was being called by God to dedicate his life to pastoral ministry, and in 1956 he began to study at the Theological Seminary at the same school.⁷ While a student, he was youth director, president of the student council, producer and director of recording the first album of songs of the Adventist Church in Brazil, and he produced the edition of the magazine “O Colegial” in 1958. He graduated on December 7, 1958, and 11 days later he married Ruth Myriam de Albuquerque, also student at that school.⁸ From this union Walter and Ellen were born.⁹

The year he graduated Walter was appointed to work as the assistant pastor of the Porto Alegre Central Church, in the state of Rio Grande do Sul. He began work in January 1959¹⁰ and stayed there until the end of the year, when he was transferred to the Cruzeiro do Sul Adventist Academy to be dean and religion and accounting teacher. At the end of 1961 he took over his first pastoral district in Santa Maria, in the state of Rio Grande do Sul.¹¹ In 1963 he was appointed as the treasurer of the Rio Grande do Sul Conference where he contributed significantly to the growth of the field. Several lots were bought for the construction of churches and schools, in addition to houses to accommodate Adventist workers.

In February 1964, at the close of the Biennial Session of the Rio Grande do Sul Conference, Walter was ordained to the pastoral ministry¹² and accepted the invitation to work in the district of Londrina, in the state of Paraná. In this city he developed an interesting project where he would buy lots in neighborhoods that were under development, with the purpose of building churches in the future. One of his purchases now houses the Londrina Adventist Educational Center.¹³

In July 1965 he was called to serve at the Voice of Prophecy, based in the city of Rio de Janeiro. He worked at the Radio Bible School¹⁴ and, for three years, he sang as baritone at the second formation of the Brazilian quartet Arautos do Rei (King’s Heralds). In July 1968 he was appointed as treasurer of the Paraná Conference.¹⁵ In 1971 he was chosen to be the president of that field, a position which he held for six years. While serving as president, he planned to build the youth camp facilities in the city of Foz do Iguaçu, and the Paraná Adventist Academy was transferred to the city of Ivatuba. He also studied accounting at the Foundation of Social Studies of Paraná, in Curitiba, graduating in 1974.¹⁶

In 1977 he was appointed by the South American Division to be director of the Voice of Prophecy, and he took on the position in September. However, only eight months later he received a call that would change his ministry to the Church. He was called to be the Director of Brazil College. Walter did not consider himself capable of such a responsibility, because up to that time he had not worked in the educational area, so he asked that the call be reconsidered. However, the church judged that he was the most suitable person for the position and, after a period of prayer, Walter accepted the invitation in May 1978.¹⁷ While he was in this position, the school established the Ellen G. White Research Center¹⁸ on September 20, 1979;¹⁹ construction was completed on the school’s church,²⁰ which was inaugurated on June 16, 1984;²¹ the one road on campus was paved and a central pedestrian street was constructed; a beginning was made at establishing majors in the sciences and Portuguese; and an application school for the Adventist education faculty was established.²²

Early in the 1980s, the leadership of Adventist Church in Brazil decided to purchase a new property so Brazil College could be moved from São Paulo city to a place closer to nature. Thus, shortly after Walter’s appointment, a group of people began to search for a farm in the countryside of the state of São Paulo where Brazil College could be resettled.²³ A possible move had been discussed since 1975.²⁴ When City Hall issued a decree on May 11, 1979, which declared the land the school was on was a public utility area and should be expropriated,²⁵ the search intensified. In the midst of these challenges, Walter kept in mind that “the same Lord that gave the instructions would open the doors to solve this huge challenge.” On May 17, 1982, more than two-thirds of the college area was sold.²⁶ An orange farm was bought on September 13, 1983,²⁷ near the city of Artur Nogueira²⁸ (that later became part of the city of Engenheiro Coelho).²⁹ On June 17, 1984, the foundation stone was laid.³⁰

Early in 1985, in order to be better qualified for his future responsibilities, Walter went to Andrews University to pursue a master’s degree (1985-1986).³¹ He returned to Brazil in December 1986, and at the beginning of 1987 he took on the position of Director of the Engenheiro Coelho campus. Two initiatives were launched to raise funds for the construction of the new school campus. “The Rebirth of an Ideal” promoted monthly donations from Adventists from all over the country through banners and advertisements in the Revista Adventista. In addition, the Chan Shun foundation agreed to pay 50 percent of the cost of each building starting from the day of the agreement.³²

On May 20, 1997, while engaged in the school’s church construction, Walter was hospitalized at Sírio-Libanês Hospital in the city of São Paulo after being diagnosed with a serious disease called Bone Marrow Hypoplasia. As a result of his illness, he had to leave the leadership of the campus that had become one of the great projects of his ministry. On March 8, 1998, he died in the hospital,³³ and he was buried in the city of Artur Nogueira state of São Paulo.³⁴ In his memory, six months later, on September 27, the road which gives access to the campus was renamed the Pastor Walter Boger Road³⁵ He also received the title of Citizen of Engenheiro Coelho, for his contribution to the development of the higher education structure of the region.³⁶

Walter Boger’s contribution had great significance for the Adventist Church in Brazil, and his performance in administrative positions was especially important to the Rio Grande do Sul and Paraná Conferences and to the Adventist radio program Voice of Prophecy. He also made a significant contribution to education as director of both UNASP campuses São Paulo and Engenheiro Coelho.

Sources

“A Primeira Pedra do Novo IAE,” Revista Adventista, year 79, n. 7, July 1984, 23. Accessed May 3, 2017, http://acervo.revistaadventista.com.br/.

Boger, Walter e Emmanuel Zorub. “Edital de Convocação da XXVII Assembleia Bienal da Associação Sul Rio-Grandense da Igreja Adventista do Sétimo Dia.” Revista Adventista, year 58, December 1963, 34. Accessed April 13, 2017.

Boger, Walter. “IAE – 65 Anos Educando para a Eternidade.” Revista Adventista, year 75, October 1980, 28. Accessed February 23, 2017, http://acervo.revistaadventista.com.br/.

Copy of Walter Boger’s identity card. In: Collection of the National Center of Adventist History/Ellen G. White Research Center: UNASP-EC, SP. Shelf 2. Rack 13. Folder/Box “Boger, Walter.” Accessed September 21, 2016.

“Ellen G. White Research Center” Revista Adventista, year 74, n. 11, November 1979, 17. Accessed September 27, 2016, http://acervo.revistaadventista.com.br/.

“Estrutura.” Website of Centro Universitário Adventista de São Paulo (UNASP-EC).

Flávio M. Pasini, “Walter Boger (1934-1998),” In: Instituto Adventista de Ensino Campus 2-15 anos de história, ed. Alberto R. Timm (Engenheiro Coelho, SP: Imprensa Universitária Adventista, 1999), 125.

Harder, Palmer, 62 Anos Missionário no Brasil. first edition, São Paulo, SP: National Center of Adventist History, 1994.

“Herbert Boger.” Revista Adventista, year 91, n. 11, November 1995, 31.

“IAE Já Tem Novo Terreno.” Revista Adventista, year 78, n. 11, November 1983, 21-22. Accessed May 3, 2017, http://acervo.revistaadventista.com.br/.

“Igreja Adventista de São Paulo, SP (UNASP-SP).” Website of National Center of Adventist History, February 12, 2015.

“Instituições Progridem e Revelam Necessidade de Mais Internatos.” Revista Adventista, year 74, July 1979, 27. Accessed April 13, 2017, http://acervo.revistaAdventista.com.br/.

Lessa, Rubens S. “Novo IAE Preserva Ideais dos Pioneiros.” Revista Adventista, year 83, n. 9, September 1987, 30. Accessed February 23, 2017, http://acervo.revistaadventista.com.br/.

Mello, Amilton Luiz. “Pastor Walter Boger.” Monograph, Latin-American Adventist Theology Seminary of the Adventist Training Institute, 1993.

“Novo IAE Comemora Décimo Aniversário,” Revista Adventista, ano 89, n. 11, November 1993, 26-27. Accessed May 3, 2017, http://acervo.revistaadventista.com.br/.

“O Paraná tem novo presidente...” Revista Adventista, year 67, n. 4, April 1972, 29. Accessed April 17, 2017.

O. R. Azevedo. “Notícias da União Sul-Brasileira.” Revista Adventista, year 59, n. 6, June 1964, 16. Accessed April 13, 2017.

Pasini, Flávio M. “Walter Boger (1934-1998).” In Instituto Adventista de Ensino Campus 2-15 anos de história, first edition, edited by Alberto R. Timm, 115-134. Engenheiro Coelho, SP: Imprensa Universitária Adventista, 1999.

Santos, Jó dos. “Ester Schwantes Boger.” Revista Adventista, year 64, n. 3, March 1969, 41. Accessed September 21, 2016, http://acervo.revistaadventista.com.br/.

Seventh-day Adventist Yearbook. Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1986. Accessed February 23, 2017, http://docs.adventistarchives.org/docs/YB/YB1986__B.pdf#view=fit.

“Vendida Fazenda do IAE.” Revista Adventista, year 77, n. 6, June 1982, 29. Accessed April 13, 2017, http://acervo.revistaadventista.com.br/.

Accessed September 21, 2016, http://acervo.revistaadventista.com.br/.

Walter Boger’s biographical data – Adventist Training Institute. In: Collection of the National Center of Adventist History/Ellen G. White Research Center: UNASP-EC. Shelf 2. Rack 13. Folder/Box “Boger, Walter.” Accessed October 20, 2016.

Walter Boger’s Curriculum Vitae In: Collection of the National Center of Adventist History/Ellen G. White Research Center: UNASP-EC. Shelf 2. Rack 13. Folder/Box “Boger, Walter.” Accessed October, 20 2016.

Notes

1. Copy of Walter Boger’s identity card. (Collection of the National Center of Adventist History/Ellen G. White Research Center: UNASP-EC, also known as New Adventist Brazil College, Engenheiro Coelho, SP).↩

2. “Herbert Boger,” Revista Adventista, year 91, n. 11, November 1995, 31.↩

3. Jó dos Santos, “Ester Schwantes Boger,” Revista Adventista, year 64, n. 3, March 1969, 41.↩

4. Flávio M. Pasini, “Walter Boger (1934-1998),” in Instituto Adventista de Ensino Campus 2-15 anos de história, ed. Alberto R. Timm (Engenheiro Coelho, SP: Imprensa Universitária Adventista, 1999), 116.↩

5. Amilton Luiz Mello, “Pastor Walter Boger” (Monograph, Latin-American Adventist Theology Seminary of the Adventist Training Institute, 1993), 6; and Flávio M. Pasini, “Walter Boger (1934-1998),” in Instituto Adventista de Ensino Campus 2-15 anos de história, ed. Alberto R. Timm (Engenheiro Coelho, SP: Imprensa Universitária Adventista, 1999), 116-117.↩

6. Pasini, 117.↩

7. Amilton Luiz Mello, “Pastor Walter Boger” (Monograph, Latin-American Adventist Theology Seminary of the Adventist Training Institute, 1993), 7.↩

8. Pasini, 118-119.↩

9. Ruth Boger, interviewed by Renato Stencel, Ellen G. White Research Center, Engenheiro Coelho, São Paulo, July 26, 2016.↩

10. Pasini, 119; and Ruth Boger, interviewed by Renato Stencel, Ellen G. White Research Center, Engenheiro Coelho, São Paulo, July 26, 2016.↩

11. Pasini, 120.↩

12. O. R. Azevedo, “Notícias da União Sul-Brasileira,” Revista Adventista, year 59, n. 6, June 1964, 16; and Boger, Walter and Emmanuel Zorub, “Edital de Convocação da XXVII Assembleia Bienal da Associação Sul-Rio-Grandense da Igreja Adventista do Sétimo Dia,” Revista Adventista, year 58, December 1963, 34.↩

13. Pasini, 122.↩

14. Mello, 10.↩

15. Pasini, “Walter Boger (1934-1998), 123.↩

16. Walter Boger’s curriculum vitae (Collection of the National Center of Adventist History/Ellen G. White Research Center: UNASP-EC).↩

17. Pasini, 124-125; Mello, 11-12.↩

18. Pasini, 125.↩

19. “Centro de Pesquisas Ellen G. White,” Revista Adventista, year 74, n. 11, November 1979, 17.↩

20. Pasini, 125.↩

21. “Igreja Adventista de São Paulo, SP (UNASP-SP),” National Center of Adventist History, February 12, 2015, accessed September 27, 2016, http://www.memoriaadventista.com.br/wikiasd/index.php?title=Igreja_Adventista_de_S%C3%A3o_Paulo,_SP_(UNASP-SP).↩

22. Pasini, 125.↩

23. Ibid..; and Boger, Walter, “IAE – 65 Anos Educando para a Eternidade,” Revista Adventista, year 75, October 1980, 28.↩

24. Mello, 12-13.↩

25. “Instituições Progridem e Revelam Necessidade de Mais Internatos,” Revista Adventista, year 74, n. 7, July 1979, 27.↩

26. “Vendida Fazenda do IAE,” Revista Adventista, year 77, n. 6, June 1982, 29.↩

27. “IAE Já Tem Novo Terreno,” Revista Adventista, year 78, n. 11, November 1983, 22.↩

28. Mello, 13.↩

29. “Novo IAE Comemora Décimo Aniversário,” Revista Adventista, yearjQuery11110232474748773982_1572344960139, n. 11, November 1993, 27.↩

30. Pasini, 23.↩

31. Ibid., 127.↩

32. Ibid., 128.↩

33. Ibid., 130-133.↩

34. Walter Boger’s biographical data – Adventist Training Institute. (Collection of the National Center of Adventist History/Ellen G. White Research Center: UNASP-EC), 5.↩

35. Pasini, 131.↩

36. Ruth Boger, interviewed by Renato Stencel, Ellen G. White Research Center, Engenheiro Coelho, São Paulo, July 26, 2016.↩