After 26 years at Sunnydale Adventist Academy
Erv Bales is officially retiring. He will continue to work part time with the school’s greenhouse industry. Photo courtesy Sunnydale Adventist Academy.
A familiar face to many in the Iowa-Missouri Conference belongs to Erv Bales, who is stepping down as vice president for finance at Sunnydale Adventist Academy at the end of July. He has been at SAA for 26 years, and while he has had many roles over those years the titles alone don’t speak to the outstanding character and dedication of the man himself.
After graduating from Union College, Bales farmed and held several other jobs before settling at SAA. He began at Sunnydale Industries, an on-campus nonprofit manufacturing business owned and operated by the Iowa-Missouri Conference, and worked there from 1989-2000. As the vp of finance for the last 15 years, he has been a major force in recruiting and development and has also guided the farm operation, campus beautification and maintenance and provided consulting for Sunnydale Industries.
Bales will not be leaving SAA entirely; he has agreed to work with the school’s greenhouse industry in his retirement. All who have had the privilege of knowing him over the years have come to appreciate his devotion to Christ and to the young people. Following are comments from a few of his long-time colleagues:
“I had the privilege to work with Erv for four years at Sunnydale Academy. His welcoming demeanor and can-do spirit has endeared him to colleagues, students, parents, alumni and the folks of the Iowa-Missouri Conference. His knowledge about a broad spectrum of topics will be a resource greatly missed. Although he is not a graduate of Sunnydale Academy, I believe he has earned the title ‘Mr. Sunnydale Academy!’” —Joseph Allison EdD, education superintendent, Iowa-Missouri Conference
“Because the academy is such an integral part of the conference’s mission and operation, it has been a wonderful blessing to have Erv at Sunnydale leading out in many areas, specifically financial. Personally, it has been a pleasure and joy to work with Erv. His common sense approach to situations and financial decisions has been invaluable. His counsel, experience and expertise in so many areas will be missed.” —Rhonda Karr, treasurer, Iowa-Missouri Conference
“Erv has been a great blessing to SAA and the whole conference. He has been and still is a good friend and a real joy to work with. As Erv transitions to a different role I will look forward to continuing to work together.” —Dean Coridan, president, Iowa-Missouri Conference
“Erv will be greatly missed, being one of a three member administrative team for Sunnydale for the last 10 years. Erv is a godly man who loves young people and is a pleasure to work with. Many young people are attending and have attended Sunnydale due to Erv’s dedicated work. Saying thank you doesn’t even come close to expressing the gratitude deserved for Erv’s years at Sunnydale, from managing Sunnydale Industries, being vp of finance, development director, recruiter, farm manager, facilities coordinator and driving the bus for many miles. Erv, thank you!” —Gary Russell, principal, Sunnydale Adventist Academy
This article was also published in the June 2015 print edition of OUTLOOK. It was written by Michelle Hansen, communication/Sabbath school director for the Iowa-Missouri Conference.
