Former HCJB World Radio Senior Vice President Joseph A. Springer, 84, died in Bradenton, Fla., on Wednesday, Aug. 2, after a brief battle with cancer. He and his wife of 61 years, Betty, served with the mission a total of 35 years.

Born in Philadelphia, Pa., on July 11, 1922, Joe was challenged to become a missionary with HCJB World Radio by founder Clarence Jones, and the Springers joined the organization in 1951.

Joe came to HCJB World Radio with experience as a musician, assistant pastor at Cedar Hill Baptist Church in Cleveland, Ohio, and English instructor at Baptist Bible College, also in Cleveland.

He had earned bachelor's degrees in English and theology from The King's College in Briarcliff Manor, N.Y., and Eastern Baptist Seminary in Philadelphia respectively as well as a master's degree in literature from the University of Pennsylvania. The King's College granted him an honorary doctorate in English literature in 1955, and a year later he completed the requirements for a Ph.D. at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland and the University of Pennsylvania.

Known for his deep mellow radio and singing voice, he served the mission in many capacities. In Quito, Ecuador, he was a teacher at the Alliance Academy, program director for Radio Station HCJB, television director, and pastor of English Fellowship Church. His administrative posts also included board secretary, Ecuador field director and senior vice president.

After 13 years in Ecuador, Joe worked as European director for two years before returning to the U.S. in 1966. He served as U.S. director for the next 13 years after which the Springers took early retirement in 1979.

This marked a new phase of ministry for the Springers as they became mission representatives, traveling with Travis and Margaret Gowan until 1992. During part of this time, Joe was also the pastor in charge of radio at Moody Memorial Church in Chicago (1979-84), serving as a singer, producer and distributor. In 1985 the Springers came out of retirement to again serve as full-time HCJB World Radio missionaries.

Joe had a passion to teach English as a second language (ESL). In the summer of 1988 he and Betty went to Anhui and Hefei, China, to teach ESL. In 1992-93 he was an English teacher at St. Thomas University in Miami, Fla.

After retiring from HCJB World Radio for the second time in 1993, Joe continued to be active in many areas. He was a producer for LeBaron Books-on-Tape, especially missionary biographies. Just a week before going to be with the Lord, Joe completed the work of transferring his 27 missionary biographies onto CDs. These are available through Crown Magnetics in Lebanon, Pa.

He was also an author, publishing a collection of 52 sonnets, originally compiled for church bulletins, and writing articles for various publications, including The Chicago Tribune "Observer."

During an interview in 1986 he said, "It has been especially rewarding to meet listeners all over the world and see how they have been blessed by the broadcasts. On a visit to Romania I realized just what missionary radio meant to so many during years of being trapped behind man-made barriers."

In addition to his wife, Betty, Joe is survived by three children, Carol Springer Smith, James Springer and Daniel Springer, as well as eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 23, at Princeton Presbyterian Church in Princeton, N.J. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Princeton Presbyterian Church, Moody Church, HCJB World Radio in Colorado Springs, Colo., or Woodland Baptist Church in Bradenton, Fla. (HCJB World Radio)