Dr. Roy B. Blizzard, who passed away June 7, 2025, spent the final years of his life facing a number of serious health challenges. In his early 90s, with limited mobility and no longer able to travel or lecture, his once-active teaching ministry slowed, and his ability to generate income was severely reduced. During that time, he required ongoing cancer treatment, quality hearing aids, and significant dental care—needs that reflected not just medical necessity but the dignity of a life well-lived.
Dr. Blizzard was the President of Bible Scholars, a Texas-based organization devoted to biblical research and education. He co-authored the groundbreaking Understanding the Difficult Words of Jesus, a book that helped establish the importance of reading the New Testament through a Hebraic lens. His work opened the door for countless others to see the words of Jesus in their original cultural and linguistic context. He went on to write several other books, including Tithing, Giving and Prosperity, Mishnah and the Words of Jesus, The Bible, Sex, and You, The Mountain of the Lord, and his final work, Understanding the Difficult Passages in the Bible.
A native of Joplin, Missouri, Dr. Blizzard’s academic journey was broad and deep. He studied at Oklahoma Military Academy and earned a B.A. from Phillips University in Enid, Oklahoma. He held an M.A. in Anthropology and Archaeology from Eastern New Mexico University, an M.A. in Hebrew from the University of Texas at Austin, and a Ph.D. in Hebrew Studies, also from UT Austin. From 1968 to 1974, he served as an instructor in Hebrew, Biblical History, and Biblical Archaeology at the University of Texas at Austin.
His connection to the land of Israel ran deep. In 1966, he studied at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, and in the early 1970s, he participated in archaeological excavations at Tel Qasile and the Western Wall. He was part of the team that uncovered the Trumpeting Place inscription, assisting the renowned archaeologist Benjamin Mazar.
Dr. Blizzard was not only a scholar but also a guide—literally and figuratively. He led dozens of educational tours across Israel, Jordan, Egypt, Turkey, Greece, and Italy. He was a licensed guide in Israel and a trusted voice for thousands of students and laypeople who traveled with him or studied under his leadership. He also hosted over 500 television programs about Israel and Judaism and was a sought-after guest on both television and radio.
Though his voice has been stilled, his teaching continues to resonate. The seeds he planted—in hearts, in classrooms, in sacred texts—will keep bearing fruit.
As we remember Dr. Blizzard, may we honor him not only with our words but with our deeds. In Hebrew, this is called gemilut chasadim—acts of loving-kindness. Whether it’s through the support of ongoing scholarship, the mentoring of students, or simply the careful study of Scripture through the lens he taught us to value, we can continue the work he began.
May his memory be a blessing—and a call to carry forward the truth he lived to uncover.
In lieu of flowers or other gifts, the family has set up a GoFundMe to help cover funeral expenses and honor Dr. Blizzard's memory: Dr. Roy Blizzard-Hebrew Scholar-Archaeologist-Funeral Fund