BLOOMINGTON, IN – Sigma Alpha Epsilon mourns the loss of a longtime Fraternity Chaplain and volunteer. The Very Reverend Peter E. Gillquist (Minnesota ’60) passed away last night with his family at his side. He had battled cancer courageously over the past few months and maintained his positive spirit during the struggle. He was 72 years old.

Gillquist served as the director emeritus of the Department of Missions and Evangelism in the Antiochian Archdiocese of North America. He was known for his teachings in catechism and Bible studies and, in his retirement, had been attached to the All Saints Orthodox Church, where his son, Fr. Peter Jon, serves as pastor. He assisted Sigma Alpha Epsilon in many capacities, serving as Fraternity Chaplain, Chaplain’s Committee member and faculty member for various Leadership Schools. Gillquist also provided grief and spiritual counseling for numerous brothers through the years.

Gillquist grew up nominally Lutheran. He attended the University of Minnesota and received a bachelor’s degree in journalism. During his undergraduate tenure, he became involved with the Campus Crusade for Christ evangelistic organization and became a born-again Christian. Gillquist pursued graduate studies at both Dallas Theological Seminary and Wheaton College.

In his professional life, he worked for Campus Crusade for Christ, the University of Memphis and Thomas Nelson Publishing. He served on the overview committee for Nelson’s New King James Version of the Bible. He was chairman of Conciliar Press and authored several books, including Love Is Now, The Physical Side of Being Spiritual and Becoming Orthodox. In addition, Gillquist served as a contributor to the Spiritual Heritage of Sigma Alpha Epsilon.

Gillquist and his wife, Marilyn, were long-term residents of Santa Barbara, California, but they moved to Bloomington, Indiana in 2009. He is the father of six children and grandfather of 19 grandchildren.

Gifts to the Sigma Alpha Epsilon Foundation can be made in his memory either online at www.sae.net/donate or via mail to: Sigma Alpha Epsilon Foundation, 1856 Sheridan Road, Evanston, IL 60201-3837. Please note “In Memory of Peter Gillquist” on checks presented in his memory.

To see Gillquist’s funeral information or to leave comments for his family and parish, click HERE.