Doug Penner, Bethel College president from 1995 to 2002, died Aug. 29 after an extended illness. He was 77.

Born in Reedley, Calif., Penner grew up in Reedley after an early childhood in Hillsboro, Kan. In 1969 he graduated from Bethel with majors in psychology and sociology.

After marrying fellow Bethel student Raylene Hinz from Liberal, Kan., right after graduation, Penner went on to the University of Kansas, where he earned master’s and doctoral degrees in social psychology.

He returned to Bethel in 1972 and taught psychology for 15 years. He also coached women’s basketball.

Although Penner enjoyed teaching and coaching at Bethel, he felt the need to develop other skills and in 1987 became an organizational consultant with Growth Associates at Prairie View Mental Health Services in Newton, Kan.

In 1991, Penner became executive director of Associated Colleges of Central Kansas, a regional education consortium that included Bethel, Tabor and McPherson colleges. Then in 1995, he was called to become Bethel’s 11th president.

He was proud of leading a $20 million capital campaign that culminated in building Krehbiel Science Center and Voth Hall. But his greatest satisfaction came from strategic planning, keeping the Bethel community engaged and focused on the future.

Sondra Bandy Koontz of Newton, who worked with five presidents as the head of institutional advancement at Bethel, said Penner was the best.

“Not all college presidents can raise money,” she said. “Doug was a pro. He knew how to listen to donors’ wishes. He knew how to best present Bethel’s needs and projects. His skill at developing relationships made every campaign for funds successful.

“Doug’s Bethel legacy is obvious in Krehbiel Science Center and Voth Hall. . . . Less obvious to the eye but still making an impact is the strategic planning for Bethel’s future that he spearheaded.

“Doug was a man of integrity, someone I deeply respected. It was my privilege to work with him.”

In 2002, Penner left one small private Kansas college to serve all of them (19 at the time) as president of the Kansas Independent Colleges Association.

Jon Gering, Bethel’s current president, who graduated from Bethel a year before Penner became president, appreciated consulting with him on presidential issues, especially in fundraising.

Penner was “a person of high character” and integrity, supportive and a good listener, Gering said. “He knew what the presidency was about and [what it] entailed.”

Penner was active in his congregations, dating from his youth at First Mennonite Church in Reedley. He deeply loved his church community of Southern Hills Mennonite Church in Topeka, Kan., and later Bethel College Mennonite Church when he and Raylene relocated to North Newton in 2021.

After moving to Topeka in 2002, Penner was moderator of Western District Conference of Mennonite Church USA for several years. When he returned to the Newton community, he served WDC as an organizational consultant.

Penner is survived by his wife of 56 years, Raylene Hinz-Penner; mother-in-law Willye Hinz; granddaughters Esther and Emmeline, and their parents, Karen Siebert and Timm Walker; two sisters, two brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews and great-nieces and -nephews.

A memorial service was held Sept. 13 at Bethel College Mennonite Church.