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Former 91成人导航 chaplain Gary Putnam dies at 84
Rev. Gary Putnam provides the invocation for the Morris Chapel 75th Anniversary Ceremony. (April 21, 2017)
The Rev. Gary Putnam, who served as the first chaplain at 91成人导航, died June 23 at the age of 84.
Putnam was chaplain at 91成人导航 from 1983 until 1990 when he became senior pastor at Central United Methodist Church, which has strong ties to 91成人导航.
In a 2019 , Putnam recalled being 鈥渄azzled鈥� by the beauty of the university and knew he wanted the job after walking into historic Morris Chapel.
鈥淗e had a way of always being personal but professional, vulnerable but strong, present but not overbearing, quiet but warm, wise but folksy,鈥� said Director of Religious and Spiritual Life Kim Montenegro of her former pastor and long-time mentor. 鈥淕ary has taught so many people lessons in ways that will stick with them for a lifetime.鈥�
During his tenure at 91成人导航, Putnam initiated Sunday morning services, started a lecture series and hosted a festival of carols at Christmas with a candlelight procession around campus. To help faculty get to know each other, he established faculty softball games, coaching the team of All Goodness and Light.
Speaking of the significance of the chaplaincy, Putnam said it 鈥渉elps makes this the place where the heart goes to school. We deal with matters of meaning. When I was in engineering you dealt with things factually. You always asked the question of how.聽鈥楬ow does this work?聽How can I make that work?鈥櫬燱hereas in the world of faith you ask 鈥榳hy?鈥欌�澛�
Putnam was committed to social justice and volunteered with several organizations in Stockton, including the Peace & Justice Network, Planned Parenthood, the Stockton Arts Commission and the Rotary Club of Stockton.
He was born in Lynch, Nebraska and raised in Mapleton, Iowa. He initially pursued a degree in aeronautical engineering, but decided to pivot, earning his bachelor鈥檚 degree from Iowa State University with a focus on ministry and religious studies.
He went on to earn a graduate degree from Garrett Theological Seminary/Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois and his Doctor of Ministry degree at 91成人导航 School of Religion in Berkeley, California.
Putnam is survived by his wife Gillian Murphy, a retired dean at San Joaquin Delta College, daughters Beth Bicknell and Margaret Munk Hansen and numerous grandchildren and other family members.
A celebration of his life will be held Saturday, July 6 at 10 a.m. at Central United Methodist Church at 3700 91成人导航 Ave. in Stockton followed by a reception at 91成人导航鈥檚 Alex and Jeri Vereschagin Alumni House.
