The Reuben H. Savanick The Reuben H. Savanick Memorial Scholarship Fund

Reuben H. Savanick was a devout Christian, avid supporter of Deaf Ministries, friend of the Deaf community, loving husband and father who died unexpectedly on April 23, 2005 at the age of 53.   Reuben grew up in Scottdale, Pennsylvania, the hearing son of Deaf parents who were early leaders in Mennonite Church Deaf Ministries.  In 1973 Reuben graduated from Goshen College and then served as the Director of Deaf Ministries from 1978-79 at the former Mennonite Board of Missions, Elkhart, Indiana.

Reuben returned to Scottdale in 1979 and worked as the founding director of Community Deaf Services of Westmoreland Country.  He also served the Scottdale Mennonite Church as pastor to the Deaf, interpreting worship services there for almost two decades.  Savanick went on to become executive director of the Scottdale Community Civic & Industrial Association and later became treasurer and vice president of operations for the Mennonite Publishing House in Scottdale.

Reuben was a kind, compassionate, caring person.  He was a patient teacher, parent and husband. He was respected for his encouraging and positive spirit by his students, employees, colleagues and friends.  He was a soccer coach, a Sunday School teacher and a mentor.  He cared deeply about the church and about the hearing-impaired community.  He became a certified interpreter, pastor to the deaf and a community organizer of deaf services. His family is pleased that this scholarship will assist others in their goal of serving the deaf community.