Dr. Walter and Nancy Hull
Walter Hull and Nancy Rutherford first met in a Physics class at Wheaton College while pursuing degrees in pre-med. As they studied the theory of gravitational attraction, they found that they, too, were drawn to each other in a romance that resulted in their marriage in 1960. Nancy followed a career path in teaching Biology at the high-school level while Walt pursued a medical degree. Nine years and two children later, these Ohio natives discovered what God had in store for them as they found themselves in sub-Saharan Africa!
Nancy grew up in a small Ohio town with two younger bothers and a younger sister. Her parents always enjoyed sharing their home with guests, including missionaries who were visiting the Baptist church the family attended. Mealtimes were special – always accompanied by prayer, good food, stimulating conversation, and interesting visitors. In looking back, Nancy feels that these experiences planted a seed for her future as a missionary in Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of Congo). The joy of sharing meals and meeting people was put to good use as they met new friends as missionaries.
Walt grew up in Salem, Ohio, one of nine siblings. He cherished his family time at the White House Fruit Farm in Canfield (still in operation and run by Hull family members!) but decided to pursue a career in medicine. At Wheaton College, he came to know Jesus Christ and accepted Him as his Savior.
Walt dedicated his life to Christ and to Nancy while at Wheaton: he would say that these were the two most important and best decisions he ever made. He went on to complete his medical degree at Baylor College of Medicine. He served two years in military service at the Choctaw Nation Indian Hospital in Talihina, Oklahoma and then completed his residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Baylor University Hospital in 1969.
In 1969, Walt and Nancy felt God’s call to serve the mission field and looked for opportunities there. Through the Presbyterian Church, they found an opening for an Ob-Gyn doctor at the Christian Medical Institute of Kasai (IMCK) in Tshikaji, Zaire. Upon their arrival in Zaire, along with their their two young daughters, Leanne and Maria, they quickly realized “we’re not in Ohio anymore!” Since the Good Shepherd Hospital in Tshikaji was still under construction, they spent their first term at the hospital in Bibanga, 150 miles to the west.
The Hull’s original intention was to serve as missionaries for 4 years. This apparently was not God’s plan: 25 years later, they left DR Congo to return home! The work there was difficult at times but the joys they experienced and the love of their Congolese Christian friends was, as Nancy states, “A blessing from the hand of the Lord.”
Walt provided his medical skills not only by caring for patients at the Good Shepherd Hospital, but also in educating interns and students at the IMCK school, the Institut Techniques Médicales (ITM). Walt loved teaching which would even take place in their home as he taught interns how to tie sutures by practicing with thread looped around dining room chairs. In the evenings, a small group of village boys would often gather on the front porch while Walt helped them with their math (and Physics?) lessons. And on Sunday mornings, a men’s Bible study would take place around the dining room table, complete with coffee, cinnamon roles and wonderful fellowship.
Nancy worked at IMCK as a Jill-of-All-Trades. She was involved at various times supervising the hospital kitchen, the maintenance department, and the guest house. She learned new skills, often as a crash course, in each area and eventually served as Field Treasurer in Kananga and finished her IMCK career as the Business Manager in Tshikaji.
Nancy recalls her memories of their time at IMCK as having more to do with the people they knew and the lessons learned than contributions they personally made. Their Congolese friends would see this sentiment as typical of the Hulls: a couple who mixed a strong Christian faith and humility with professional competence.
Walt and Nancy returned to Columbus, Ohio in 1994 when he was diagnosed with metastatic melanoma. With good medical care and the Lord’s healing touch, the melanoma was eradicated, and he went on to work for 17 years at the Ohio State University Hospital in the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, caring for patients and training medical residents. He continued to offer his medical services to the underserved in various Columbus city clinics.
Walt and Nancy also made multiple short-term trips back to Africa to serve in hospitals in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi, Central African Republic, and Rwanda, often taking medical residents with them to be introduced to medical care and missions in that part of the world. Sadly, Walt passed away in November 2021, surrounded by his family. He was first and foremost a man of faith in Jesus Christ. His life and service were simply an outpouring of his life in Christ and he thrived on studying God’s word. His witness was exemplified by intentionally making time for family and friends, leading in faith, laughing with others and loving unconditionally. He is dearly missed by his family and friends around the world.
IMCK has prospered and grown in reputation as an excellent medical institution thanks to the work of missionaries like Walt and Nancy. Today, the committed staff at the Good Shepherd Hospital, PAX Polyclinic and medical training schools continue to provide healing – physically and spiritually – to the people of this region in DR Congo.
The Friends of IMCK is pleased to have Walt and Nancy Hull as our honorees for this year’s fundraising campaign. We encourage you to also honor them by donating to the IMCK Endowment Fund with either a one-time gift or through planned giving. Proceeds from this fund are providing vital support to IMCK as they strive to continue operating in a very challenging financial environment.
Thank You