Dear UHL family,

It is with great sadness that we bring the news of Dr. Stephen Pfann’s passing at the age of 73. He died peacefully in his sleep after a pronounced decline in his health due to chronic age-related struggles that he had experienced for a number of years. His indelible legacy and presence in all of our lives and his loss have left a profound impact.

Dr. Pfann cofounded the University of the Holy Land with his wife Claire in 1986. Together they developed a unique and compelling vision for international Christian education that continues to have great influence in shaping people’s lives and faith. Fields of particular note that Dr. Pfann helped to pioneer were Land of Israel studies and the history of Qumran and the Dead Sea Scrolls.

The entire curriculum of the school was designed to focus on subjects related to the Bible that can best be studied in the Holy Land itself taught by the finest Christian and Jewish scholars. Thanks to the development of online learning, Christians around the world are now having their lives enriched by this curriculum.

In order to ensure and preserve this legacy, the UHL Board of Directors has nominated Dr. Claire Pfann to serve in the role of President as we navigate and secure the future of the school. Stephen and Claire’s son, Stephen Pfann, Jr., will assist in this goal by continuing to fulfill the administrative role of Director of UHL for the near future.

The Pfann family appreciates everyone’s support and prayer as they process this loss. Claire does ask that for those inclined, rather than sending flowers or other customary gifts, donations be made to the school in order to preserve Dr. Stephen Pfann’s legacy.

Donations can be made at the following link: https://www.uhl.ac/home/give

Thank you each of you for your prayerful support and love over all these years.

Sincerely,

Board of Directors

The University of the Holy Land