Long-time Columbia International University professor Cliff Bedell passed away on Feb. 24. He was 85 years old. Bedell served at CIU for 36 years before retiring in 2009.

Prior to coming to CIU, Bedell and his wife Pru were missionaries to the Philippines. He was a graduate of Wheaton and the University of Georgia, and was named an honorary alumnus of CIU in August 2008.

Known for his love of teaching the book of Romans, Bedell said in the 1979 CIU Yearbook that he praised the Lord for “the opportunity of challenging our students to consider a ministry in communicating the Good News cross-culturally.”

In 2008, Bedell shared a memorable experience from his time as a missionary in the CIU Connection magazine article, “An Angry Missionary and a Filipino Kid.” See page 10 of the magazine.