WP mourns the loss of alumnus Rob Ingram

PORTLAND, OR - Rob Ingram, a beloved public figure and activist known for his passionate dedication to helping Portland’s youth and families, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday from a heart attack. He was only 38 years old. According to Warner Pacific College President Dr. Andrea Cook, Ingram left behind a legacy of outreach and support to Portland’s urban communities.

“Rob was deeply committed to his Christian faith and making a difference among Portland’s diverse populations,” stated Dr. Cook upon hearing of Ingram’s death. “As a Warner Pacific College graduate, Rob personified our mission as someone who used his liberal arts education to make a tangible difference in the lives of the people he helped as an advocate for Portland’s youth and families,” said Dr. Cook. “Rob will be greatly missed.”

A devoted husband and father of five, Ingram developed a heart for young people he referred to as “disconnected youth” as a result of his own upbringing in a single-parent family. Ingram’s career spanned over twenty years and involved many roles, including his position as director of Portland’s Office of Youth Violence Prevention and president of the Urban League of Portland Young Professionals. Under Ingram’s leadership and guidance, vital resources were funneled to organizations providing support for gang outreach and intervention, mentorship, tutoring and family support. Ingram was primarily chosen as director for the Youth Violence Prevention Office due to a successful history of working with troubled youth dating as far back to 1991 when he worked as a counselor for Emmanuel Community Services.

In his dual roles as a Warner Pacific alum and city of Portland public figure, Ingram participated in the inauguration services for president Andrea Cook in September of 2009. He also earned a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration as a graduate of Warner Pacific College’s Adult Degree Program in the fall of 2009.

For those in the Warner Pacific community able to attend, a funeral service will be held at Noon on Friday for Ingram at his home church of seven years, the International Fellowship Family, located in Northeast Portland at 4401 NE 122nd Avenue.