Albert T. Platt
July 4, 2020
Atlantic City, New Jersey, saw the
arrival of Albert Thomas Platt on May 17, 1927. He was the 12-pound
(ouch!) firstborn son of Raymond and Florence Platt. The family
lived in Absecon, a town about 7 miles away. Raymond was a railroad
man, and Florence worked for Bell Telephone. When Al was 4 1l2 he
was joined by a younger brother, Logan.
At the age of 7 Al trusted the Lord
Jesus Christ as Savior, and shortly after that became very interested
in missionary work. Creative, articulate, adventurous, and
hard-working, Al grew up being involved in his community and church,
working at summer camps, saving for school by working at the local
A&P grocery store, and participating in the usual brotherly and
youth rivalries and mischief. Each experience broaden his skills and
exposed him to things which would help him in the future.
After high school in Absecon he
attended Wheaton College in Illinois, majoring in anthropology.
Playing football, singing in quartets, speaking at youth outreaches,
and keeping the school boilers going were regular parts of his
college days along with (sometimes!) studying. During his Freshman
year he met the love of his life, Gladys Ann Hage, or “Gladie” as
she was known. She had also trusted Christ as Savior at the age of 7
and had become interested in missionary work. They dated all through
college, and got married on June 17,1948, three days after
graduation.
Dallas Theological Seminary was the
next step of study and preparation for anticipated service as
missionaries somewhere. Al continued to work with youth, preach, and
teach. He was introduced to radio work, as well. The couple was
thinking that their future work would be in Europe. During the last
year of seminary, however, they were told about a radio ministry in
Guatemala and began to pray for that outreach. Their interest grew
and they sensed that God was directing them to the Central American
Mission and the work in Guatemala. After Al graduated with a
Masters degree in Theology, he, Gladie, and their 9 month old
daughter, Beth, set off for Central America. It was August,1951. Al
drove with a friend. It took them 10 days! Gladie and Beth flew.
Language school was in San Jose, Costa
Rica. Right away Al’s verbal skills and adventurous spirit helped
him excel in learning Spanish. He thrived in the setting. Things
were not so easy for Gladie who, in addition to all the cultural and
language adjustments, was unexpectedly pregnant with their second
daughter, Bobbie, who was born during their time there.
After completing language school the
family of 4 settled in Guatemala City in December, 1952. Al began
preaching and producing radio programs for Radio Station TGNA
(“Telling Good News Abroad”) and Gladie, a very accomplished
musician, provided extensive musical programing. [Side note: some
of the preaching and music they recorded during those years is STILL
being broadcast!]. During this time Al also began teaching some
courses at the Central American Bible Institute.
In June, 1956, the couple’s 3rd
daughter, Brendy, was born. Complications at birth due to the Rh
factor resulted in a damaged motor center. Brendy lived her life in
a body limited by cerebral palsy. Trusting that the Lord would care
for these special needs that were now part of their family, the
Platt’s continued living and serving in Guatemala. Al’s
creativity produced all sorts of helpful “equipment” for making
Brendy’s life interesting and productive. He also enjoyed
challenging himself and giving Brendy opportunities, like waterskiing
with him on his skis and climbing volcanoes with her on his back.
Al worked at TGNA for 9 years, becoming
its director along the way. His love for teaching and his
administrative skills, however, began to be needed more at the Bible
Institute. During this time he began working on his doctoral degree
from Dallas Seminary, spending some time in Dallas as a family for
that. In May, 1962, he received his Doctor of Theology degree. Back
in Guatemala, he became Director of the Bible Institute in 1965, and
the following year helped to co-found the Central American
Theological Seminary. He and Gladie served there until 1974,
teaching and doing extensive public relations traveling in both the
United States and Central America.
In 1974 he was asked to take the
presidency of the mission and move to the headquarters in Dallas,
Texas. After much prayer and deliberation the decision was made to
leave their beloved Guatemala and move to Dallas. Al served as
leader of the mission, (then called ‘CAM International’, now
‘Camino Global,’ a part of Avant Ministries), and did prolific
speaking in churches and at conferences and wide-spread traveling.
He retired from his role as president in 1992 but continued the
speaking and traveling.
In 2005 Al, Gladie and Brendy moved to
Newton, KS, to be close to their daughter and son-in-law, Bobbie and
Steve Friesen. Daughter, Beth, and husband Chalo Sandoval, were
missionaries in Mexico. Al had many opportunities to speak and do
interim pulpit supply for churches in the area, which he thoroughly
enjoyed. In December, 2009, his beloved Gladie went to be with the
Lord after battling lung cancer. In June, 2011, his dear Brendy
joined her mother after a battle with bladder cancer. Al continued
to live on his own and minister in area churches, although he became
less and less mobile. During this time he wrote and recorded 75
Bible teaching videos in Spanish. These are being used in Mexico,
Cuba, Ecuador and the US. In October, 2018, his oldest daughter,
Beth, in Mexico, joined her mom and sister in heaven after a tough
battle with leukemia.
October 19, 2019 was an infamous day
for Al. The dreaded “fall” which resulted in a broken hip
happened that evening in his home. The road to recovery was rocky.
Surgeries and rehab helped, but Al couldn’t regain ability to stand
or walk. He moved to Newton’s Presbyterian Manor on November 13.
He was wonderfully cared for and loved and often reflected on God’s
goodness in directing him there. He appreciated the staff so very
much. Their warmth and efficiency was a huge blessing to him and the
family, as COVID-19 limited family interaction so drastically. He
was also very attached to and appreciative of the staff of Newton
Medical Center’s Wound Care. They were so attentive and helpful to
him through years of treating his ongoing foot wounds.
Wednesday June 24 was when hospice
needed to be added to Al’s group of care givers. A week and half
later, on “Freedom Day,” July 4th at 3:40 AM, with Steve and
Bobbie at his side, he slipped into freedom from pain and restriction
and into the presence of Jesus whom he loved and served his whole
life.
He is survived by his brother, Logan
Platt, of Plano, TX; his son-in-law, Chalo Sandoval, of Puebla,
Mexico; his son-in-law and daughter, Steve and Bobbie Friesen, of
Newton, KS; grandchildren: Aaron and Natalie Sandoval of Madrid,
Spain; Arturo and Meya Martinez of Allen, TX; Nathan and Amy
Threadgill of Lavon, TX; Andy and Julie Friesen of Newton, KS; Luke
and Chelsea Friesen of Richardson, TX; and Toby and Summer Friesen of
Thompson’s Station, TN; 15 great grandchildren, and many nieces and
nephews.
