Dr. Richard Houg, Former President at FBBC&TS, Passes Away at Age 76

September 1, 2021

Faith Baptist Bible College and Theological Seminary grieves with the family and friends of Dr. Richard Houg, former president of Faith, who passed away Tuesday evening, August 31, 2021. Houg battled health issues recently and was in the intensive care unit at Methodist Hospital in Des Moines, Iowa when he passed. He served as president at Faith from 1994 to 2006.

Dr. Houg was born in Fergus Falls, Minnesota, and accepted Christ in the third grade. After dedicating his life to the Lord in high school, he enrolled at Omaha Baptist Bible College (OBBC) in 1964. As a student at OBBC, he met Barbara Inabnit, and the two were married during the summer OBBC moved from Omaha to Ankeny in 1967.

Houg graduated from Faith Baptist Bible College in 1969 and began a pastoral ministry that would span almost 30 years. His associate and senior pastoral roles included tenures at First Baptist Church in Eldora, Iowa; First Baptist Church in Pana, Illinois; First Baptist Church in Creston, Iowa; and Saylorville Baptist Church in Des Moines, Iowa. Houg also served as an assistant pastor on the school board that established Walnut Ridge Baptist Academy in Waterloo, Iowa.

Dr. Houg was on the board of directors at Faith Baptist Bible College for 10 years and was the pastor at First Baptist Church in Creston, Iowa, when he was selected as president to replace Dr. David Boylan, who served as interim president from 1993 to 1994. Houg was appointed as president on October 12, 1994, and inaugurated on February 10, 1995.

Dr. Houg was one of the few hundreds of students who experienced student life at both the Omaha and Ankeny campuses. He understood Faith’s culture and heritage as the school’s president. His legacy was well-summarized by Dr. John Hartog III in the Fall 2006 edition of the Faith Witness:

“Dr. Houg’s presidency was characterized by growth and construction. The enrollments of both the college and seminary grew. In response to this growth, the school built two residence halls, the new entrance to the Multi-Purpose Building (now named Benson Hall), and the 20,000 square-foot addition to the Convocation Building (now named the Nettleton Center). The college and seminary also achieved accreditation with North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, added several new degree programs in the college, increased its endowments, and added the next generation of Faith professors who replaced those who had retired after many faithful years of service.”

Funeral details are as follows:

• Visitation: 5-7 p.m. on Friday, September 3, 2021, at Ankeny Baptist Church (2842 SW 3rd St. Pl)
• Funeral: 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, September 4, 2021, at Ankeny Baptist Church (2842 SW 3rd St. Pl)

Memorials may be sent to Ankeny Baptist Church, Iowa Regular Baptist Camp, or Faith Baptist Bible College. Please keep the Houg family in your prayers during this difficult time.