TUSTIN : Ill Pastor Has More Than Their Prayers

People who know Robert Pluimer say he is one heck of a racquetball player. But to members of the Colonial Bible Church here, he is simply Pastor Butch--a teacher, counselor, friend.

Since January, however, Pluimer, 52, has been in and out of hospitals. His illness has been diagnosed as advanced multiple myeloma leukemia, a form of bone cancer, and it is ravaging his body.

Pluimer has health insurance, but it only covers 80% of his medical costs and does not cover his prescription drugs, which run to about $700 weekly, said his father-in-law, Loverne Card, pastor of the First Church of the Open Bible in Rosemead.

At last count, Pluimer’s medical expenses had exceeded $50,000, Card said. And the bills are still piling up.

The financial and emotional toll on Pluimer’s family is just “unbelievable,” Card said. He said Pluimer’s family is looking for help. So far, many have responded, he said.

On Thursday, Tustin Mayor Jim Potts and about 20 pastors of various denominations from around Orange County attended a luncheon at the Colonial Bible Church to launch a fund-raising effort for Pluimer.

Adele Graves, a member of Pluimer’s congregation, is spearheading the fund-raiser. She said there will be a silent auction and dinner May 15 at the Phoenix Club in Anaheim to raise more funds.

Graves said several companies, including Nordstrom, have agreed to sponsor the event and that a number of entertainers have volunteered. The pastors said Thursday that they will seek contributions from their congregations.

“It’s the American spirit to respond and help where there is a serious need,” said Ed Smith, pastor of the Trinity Christian Center in Tustin, who attended the luncheon.

Roy Tomsen, pastor of Crossroads Community Church in Westminster, said he was pleased to see pastors from other denominations “come together and help a brother.”

Pluimer, who was a chaplain for the Raiders football team when they were in Oakland, has been pastor of Colonial Bible Church for nearly 26 years, Card said.

Pluimer is the youngest of 12 children in a family of pastors from Shreveport, La. His mother, who died two years ago, was a pastor, as are three of his brothers, Card said.

Pluimer is married to Card’s daughter, Rebecca, 42. They have two children, Roman, 22, a recent police academy graduate, and Bridgette, 17, a Tustin High School student.

Fabie Combs, a member of Pluimer’s congregation who is helping in the fund-raising campaign, said church members had to do more than simply pray for their pastor.

“We refuse to give up,” Combs said. “He has too much to give to people. He makes you feel special. He even let me beat him at racquetball one time.”

For more information about the fund-raising campaign, call Colonial Bible Church at (714) 731-0118 or Graves at (714) 251-8640.