Roger Kahle, Lutheran Journalist, Died

CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Rev. Roger R. Kahle, an international journalist who covered Lutheran issues and events for 35 years, died of heart failure Dec. 1 at the age of 55. Kahle was managing editor of The Lutheran, magazine of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), and president of the Associated Church Press.
"All of us at The Lutheran and his friends around the world remember Roger as a trusted colleague and friend, and a highly competent journalist and editor," said the Rev. Edgar R. Trexler, editor of The Lutheran.
After a long history of heart difficulties, a pacemaker/defibrillator was implanted recently in Kahle's chest. He returned to work at The Lutheran on a part-time basis.
"He was always upbeat, positive and caring. He regularly visited patients in the 'Mended Hearts' program," Trexler said of Kahle. "We thank God for placing Roger in our midst and for the witness he made to all of us."
"Roger Kahle was a major contributor to the strong journalistic tradition associated with the Lutheran church both in the United States and around the world," said the Rev. Robert N. Bacher, ELCA executive for administration. "He was equally at home writing and editing for U.S. audiences and for the many international settings in which Lutherans worship and work.
"Roger will be missed not only by his associates at The Lutheran magazine but by all of us who benefitted from the clarity and depth of his observations," said Bacher. "Our hearts and prayers go out to his wife, Susan, and their children."
Born in Everett, Wash., Kahle was a graduate of Concordia College, Portland, Ore., and Concordia Senior College, Fort Wayne, Ind. He earned a master's of divinity degree at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, and a master's of science at Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism, New York.
From 1963 to 1965 Kahle was editor-in-chief and managing editor of The Triangle, the student newspaper in Fort Wayne. In St. Louis he was managing editor of The Seminarian.
Kahle lectured in journalism at California State University in Humbolt, Calif., and was a teaching assistant in broadcast journalism at the University of Missouri, Columbia, Mo. He earned his doctorate in communication theory and research, broadcast journalism and film at the University of Missouri.
Kahle's body of work includes scores of research articles, award-winning radio and television programs and documentaries, newspaper and magazine articles, and public relations campaigns.
Kahle was ordained a pastor of the Lutheran Church- Missouri Synod in 1975 and was admitted to the clergy roster of the Association of Evangelical Lutheran Churches (AELC) in 1978. The AELC joined the American Lutheran Church and Lutheran Church in America to form the ELCA in 1987.
Kahle served the Lutheran Church of the Newtons, Newton, Mass., while teaching at Boston University. An associate professor in the university's School of Public Communication, he taught courses such as "Computer Applications in Communication" and served the school as associate dean, acting dean and acting chairman.
In 1979 Kahle became English editor in the Information Bureau of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) in Geneva, Switzerland. He was responsible for weekly news publications reporting events in Lutheran churches around the world. Founded in 1947, the LWF now has 124 member churches in 69 countries representing more than 57 million of the world's 61 million Lutherans.
"Roger came to The Lutheran in the fall on 1987," said Trexler. "His knowledge of the international Lutheran church was extensive and made a significant contribution to his work here. He also was the computer expert for our publishing operation."
Kahle maintained close international ties with Lutheran journalists. He returned to Geneva briefly in June 1998 to provide news coverage of the LWF's annual council meeting.
Kahle is survived by his wife, Susan Findling Kahle. They are the parents of Michael, Sara and Kristin. He is also survived by his parents who live in Oregon.

For information contact:
Frank Imhoff, Assoc. Director (773) 380-2955 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://www.elca.org/co/news/current.html