PLAINFIELD, Ind. -- Friends and family are shocked by the sudden death of beloved Plainfield pastor, Bob Walters.
Rev. Walters suffered a heart attack while riding his bike and died on July 31.
Walters served as a pastor in the United Methodist Church, and served congregations in Plainfield, Indianapolis and Lebanon.
Rev. Charlie Wilfong, Senior Pastor with Plainfield United Methodist Church, said Walters served in many roles including a worship leader.
"He meant a lot to me personally," said Wilfong. "Bob's presence was powerful."
In 1991, Bob was invited to join a clergy delegation to the Katanga province of Zaire (now Democratic Republic of the Congo).
He worked tirelessly to build the connection between the United Methodist leaders in Katanga and Indiana, according to his obituary.
"He had a real heart for the Congo, and did a lot of work there developing local Christian leaders," said Wilfong. "He spent a lot of time being patient, deep listening and developing relationships."
Walters dedicated his life to serving others.
His friends and family are shocked he suffered a fatal heart attack, given how active he was.
"Bob was such a physically fit individual," said Rev. Charlie Wilfong, Senior Pastor with Plainfield United Methodist Church. "He was a professional bicyclist. He was in excellent shape."
In 2009, he started a non profit with his daughter, Friendly Planet Missiology with the goals of changing missiological thinking in the Church and to support the work of their colleagues in the North
Katanga and Tanganyika Annual Conferences.
Family, friends and others whose lives Bob touched are invited to Plainfield United Methodist Church at 600 Simmons Street in Plainfield on August 5 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Services will begin at 2 p.m. at the church.
Memorial gifts may be made to Friendly Planet Missiology. More information can be found here.
