Eshetu Koyra Abate

Eshetu Koyra Abate

June 29, 1955 - December 28, 2011

Eshetu Koyra Abate

June 29, 1955 - December 28, 2011

Obituary

Eshetu Abate, 56, was called to be with his LORD and savior Jesus Christ on December 28, 2011 in Fountain Valley, CA while his family was at his side.

A visitation service is being held on Friday January 6 at O’Connor Mortuary in Laguna Hills, CA from 7 to 9 P.M. In addition, there will be a farewell service conducted at First Lutheran Church, in Long Beach, CA at 1 PM on Saturday January 7 as Dr. Eshetu will be interred in his birthplace of Ethiopia.

Eshetu Abate was born in Arbegona, Ethiopia to Mr. Abate Koyra and Egigayehu Kassaye. From his early years, the good news of Jesus Christ reverberated in the Abate household. Nevertheless it was not until he reached the age of 18 that he realized his life’s purpose: to walk with the LORD and proclaim his grace and mercy to others.

After obtaining his doctorate in theology, 1988, from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Dr. Abate returned to Ethiopia to work at the Mekane Yesus Thelogical Seminary from 1988-2000. Afterwards he worked at the Bible Society of Ethiopia as a translation consultant from 2000-2002. His final professional spell was at Concordia University, Irvine where he worked as professor of Theology from 2002 until 2 weeks before his passing.

Above all, though, he esteemed working as a servant of the LORD; first as a Reverend at Addis Ababa Mekanye Yesus in Ethiopia and later in the United States’leading Ethiopian congregations in Long Beach and Los Angeles.

He will be remembered for his deep love and commitment to Jesus Christ.

He is survived by his wife of 21 years, Amarech and his three children: Miseker, Eliezer and Benjamin.

Condolences and Donations may be sent to the family through:

Evangelical Mekane Yesus Lutheran Fellowship in North America
2001 Riverside Ave., Minneapolis, MN 55454

Bank Address:
Wells Fargo Bank
2600 E Franklin Ave.
Minneapolis, MN
55406

Routing No. 0910000191
Account No. 9817300735

OR
You can send a check to the following address:
Francis Stephanos
4537 Cinnamon Ridge Trail
Eagan, MN 55122

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26 responses to Eshetu Koyra Abate

  1. Dr. Abate was one of the best professors I have ever had. He always greeted me with a “My brother Cameron” and a smile. Do this day I don’t think I ever saw that man without a smile. Much of what I know today I learned through him and experiences in his class. Rest in Peace Dr. Abate.

  2. Cassie Moore says:

    Dr. Abate stands out in my mind as one of the most compassionate, Spirit-filled people I have ever been privileged to know. Not only was he a professor who strove above and beyond to teach his students, but he was a warm and friendly person who smiled continually (even when handing out tests!) and greeted everyone around him with joy. He was a beacon of Christ’s love to everyone who knew him. I’ve often thought fondly of a small theology banquet at CUI that he presented at a few years ago, and how he stood around and showed several of the CUI staff members and us students how to properly eat Ethopian food (sans fork). It must have been hilarious to see an entire group of dressed up people trying not to spill red meat sauce down their shirts, but Dr. Abate was so excited that we were trying the food that he just couldn’t stop grinning from ear to ear. I know Dr. Abate will be missed, but I’m confident that he is experiencing incredible joy with His Heavenly Father at this moment. My prayers go out to his family, that you may be confident knowing you are in God’s hands at this very moment. –Cassie Moore

  3. Dr. Abate was an amazing man and a great example to all he met of what it means to follow Christ. He impacted my life in many ways and it will be hard not seeing him again until we meet in heaven.

  4. Joel Bradley says:

    Dr. Eshetu was the most gentle and kind man I ever met during my time at CUI. He was a great man of God who touched a great many people–both those he personally came into contact with and those who may have just heard of him. I find it be an honor just to have been taught by him, and I look forward to praising God with him when we meet again in Heaven.

  5. Dr. Abate was one of the most memorable people I have met. He was dearly loved by many of Concordia’s students. I loved the way that we were all members of his family. My father went to seminary with him and even remembered him after 25 years. I will cherish the patience and love that he taught me for the rest of my life.

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