Chaplain, Major General Gaylord T. Gunhus (G.T. to his friends and “Chappy” to his grandchildren) passed away May 27, 2016 at the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Arizona, at the age of 76. Although born in Enderlin, North Dakota, his youth was spent in Seattle, where he attended school at King’s Garden and graduated from Seattle Pacific University in 1962. In 1967 he became an Army chaplain after graduating from Lutheran Brethren Seminary in Fergus Falls, Minnesota. In 1976 he earned a Master’s of Theology degree from Princeton Theological Seminary in Princeton, New Jersey.
Major General Gunhus’ ministry in the Army called him to serve all over the world. During his 36 years of service, he served two tours of combat during Viet Nam. In 1999 he was appointed as Chief of Chaplains of the Army. He served in that position until he retired from active duty in August of 2003.
In retirement G.T. and his wife Ann established a retreat ministry for pastors of small churches taking them on a five-day trip in the San Juan Islands aboard their boat to refresh and encourage them. Blessed be the memory of G.T. Gunhus!