RPTS Tribute to Dr. Dennis “Denny” Prutow

The Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary Board, Faculty, and Administration mourn the loss of Dr. Dennis “Denny” Prutow, our Professor of Homiletics & Pastoral Theology Emeritus and former Dean of Faculty. Surrounded by his loved ones, Denny passed into the presence of the Savior, our Lord Jesus Christ, whom he loved and served so well on October 30, 2024.

Denny served as a professor at RPTS from 2001-2013. Coming to RPTS as a former Army chaplain, seasoned pastor, and prolific writing evangelist, Denny brought a powerful warmth to the seminary community. Dr. C.J. Williams, Professor of Old Testament Studies, came to RPTS a few years after Denny and recalls,

As a young professor, it was a blessing to have Denny as a mentor at the seminary. What I remember most was his passion for preaching the gospel, his booming "preaching voice," and his unmistakable laugh. The joy he took in preaching and teaching the Word of God was infectious.

Dr. Rick Gamble, Professor of Systematic Theology, joined the faculty at the same time as Dr. Williams and has similar fond memories of Denny’s presence, preaching, and playfulness.

Denny had a booming voice that was very powerful in the pulpit. Combined with that voice was a delightful, equally powerful chuckle or laugh. His hearty guffaw was always accompanied by a twinkle in his eye. His laugh was truly contagious.

My daughters delighted in his laugh. One day, out of the blue, Denny gave me a CD and said that it was for the girls. When we played it at home it was a compilation, from recordings, of his laughter. It was many minutes long. The girls loved it. I can still hear it and see his twinkle. He will be missed.

Dr. Barry York, RPTS President, came to the seminary after Denny’s retirement in 2013 to teach pastoral theology and homiletics. He says the following about his predecessor.

Before coming here as a professor, I served on the RPTS Board for nine years, many of them on the Academic Affairs Committee, which oversees faculty matters. I have always heard wonderful reports about Denny’s influence in the classroom and have seen his impact on the preachers in our denomination. I appreciated the times I had through the years to sit under his teaching and preaching ministry. With his laser focus, commanding presence, and pastoral heart, you could never miss the point of Denny’s instruction!

As I transitioned to RPTS, Denny was very kind in assisting me in my new role, providing me with resources, class lecture notes, and helpful tips. I continue to use his books on worship and preaching at the seminary. He remained interested and concerned about RPTS. I am grateful for his ongoing teaching in retirement, the never-ending encouragement he offered to many pastors and saints, and the support he and Erma always gave to me and the ministry of RPTS.

Volumes could be filled with testimonies of the impact that Dr. Prutow had on many young pastoral students and budding preachers. For this tribute, we offer one from RPTS Board member and Pastor of Hope Community Reformed Presbyterian Church, George Gregory.

Though I was a colleague of Denny’s in pastoral ministry for some time, I write now reflecting upon my experience as a former student of his. I remember, in particular, Denny's deep love and pastoral concern for his students. An anecdote that highlights this is how Denny cared for me during my first internship after my first year of seminary.

Having only taken his “Introduction to Preaching” course, I traveled to Washington, Iowa, to minister to the RP congregation in that town. This congregation did not have a pastor then, so I found myself in a situation where I needed to preach every week, sometimes twice a week, as there were evening services also. Having only had one preaching course and two sermons under my belt, I was a little intimidated by the task. Yet Denny graciously and patiently worked with me over email weekly to support me in that task.

I would email him my sermon outlines each week, and he would carefully review them, offering feedback and suggestions on how to improve them. This process continued for the whole ten weeks of that internship. This was a double blessing because, during my time in Iowa, I was also able to serve the Sharon RP congregation, which had recently lost its pastor, Ronald Good, to death. The Lord used Denny’s encouragement and support during this time to keep my head above water in quite an overwhelming circumstance for a first-year student.

Though I was only reading his words in email form, I could hear his distinctive voice as he counseled and coached me through that summer. Even now, I still hear his voice ringing in my head when I start to get choked up with tears while preaching— “Keep it together!” (Maybe some of my fellow classmates will remember him saying that.)

I am eternally grateful for his labor on my behalf and for so many other students whom he served as a professor, even after his retirement. If not for the Lord using this faithful servant in my life, I certainly would not be who I am or even where I am in ministry today. I know many can say the same.

George’s words summarize the great fondness and gratitude many have for Denny, especially the RPTS community that he served so well. His family at RPTS extends its prayers and sympathies to his dear wife, Erma, who served so well at his side, and their family.

And I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Blessed indeed,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!” (Rev. 14:13).