Death of Eduardo Ocampo

Eduardo A. Ocampo was born on Oct. 13, 1931, to Lucila Yábar de Ocampo and Wenceslao Ocampo. At fifteen, he met the love of his life, Flora Alva León. They married in 1957 and, in 1973, moved with their four children to the United States, where Eduardo hoped they would receive an ideal education. He passed away peacefully on Oct. 22, 2025, in Loma Linda, California, surrounded by his loving family. He was 94.

Born in Cusco, Peru—the ancient capital of the Inca Empire—Eduardo grew up among stone streets and cathedral bells that shaped his reverence for language, culture and faith. His life was defined by dignity, discipline and devotion—to God, to family and to the pursuit of truth and beauty.

A graduate of the Universidad Adventista del Plata in Argentina and the Universidad Nacional de San Antonio Abad del Cusco, he devoted his life to ministry and education. He served as pastor in Tacna, Peru, and Mountain View, California, and as education director for the Seventh-day Adventist Church’s South American region, encompassing Peru, Bolivia and Ecuador.

In 1977, he joined Andrews University in Michigan as professor of modern laguages at the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary, where his clarity, eloquence and love of learning inspired generations. Upon retiring in 2002, he was named emeritus professor. That same year, Eduardo and Flora settled in Loma Linda, where they shared more than two decades of joyful retirement together.

Those who knew him remember a man of intellect and grace—“an ambassador of Peruvian kindness,” as one colleague wrote—and a Christian gentleman whose faith and humility guided every step. The Ocampo home was always open, filled with conversation, music and laughter.

Eduardo will be remembered as a devoted husband, a loving father to Samuel (and Gwen), Nino (and Adriana), Lucy, and Florita (and Andrew); and a proud grandfather to Eduardito, Natali (and Britney), Adrianita, Robert, Isabella, Nicholas, Mariana and Bia. Melissa Price, Ella, and Kainoa; Amy Ukleja, Mark, Thaddeus, and Summit; and Justin Brownfield, Tammy, Kaila, Juliett, and Noelle also knew him affectionately as “Belo.”

Above all, he was a man of God—in the place God appointed, doing God’s work in God’s way.