Lutheran Social Service of Iowa Mourns Loss of Roger Gutmann

CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Roger C. Gutmann, president and chief executive officer of Lutheran Social Service of Iowa, Des Moines, Iowa, died Nov. 16 of heart failure. Gutmann served as a board member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Division for Church in Society. He was 55.
Gutmann was a voice for the children and families most impacted by Iowa state budget cuts to human services, said Michael P. Buck, vice president and chief financial officer, Lutheran Social Service of Iowa.
"In his nine years as president and CEO of Lutheran Social Service, Roger typified the passion of the employees to provide help, hope and healing to vulnerable children, families and senior citizens in Iowa," said Buck. "He was a strong advocate for the needs of people and for effective human service delivery systems in Iowa."
"Roger was a dear friend and colleague, known for his deep commitment to Lutheran social service and tireless advocacy on behalf of children," said the Rev. Rebecca S. Larson, executive director, ELCA Division for Church in Society, speaking on behalf of the unit.
In a recent newsletter, Gutmann wrote, "With every challenge, there is also great opportunity. Our challenges are significant. Our response, in spite of few resources, will continue to be competent and compassionate. We will continue to advocate for the vulnerable."
Gutmann was born in 1947 in Fort Wayne, Ind. He earned a bachelor's degree from Wartburg College, an ELCA higher education institution in Waverly, Iowa. He earned a master of social work degree from Washington University, St. Louis.
Gutmann served on the Wartburg College alumni board, was an assistant Little League coach and served on social service boards. He lived in Grosse Pointe, Mich., before moving to Des Moines in 1993. Gutmann was a U.S. Air Force veteran.
Gutmann spoke frequently with political representatives, church groups and others on the important role of social services. In partnership with Bremwood Lutheran Children's Home, Waverly, Iowa, Gutmann was a leader in the integration process toward developing a new social ministry organization.
In addition to his service to the ELCA Division for Church in Society, Gutmann served on the public policy staff advisory committee for Lutheran Services in America (LSA) and on the Coalition for Family and Children's Services in Iowa. LSA is an alliance of the ELCA, the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod and their 280 social ministry organizations.
Gutmann was a member of Grace Lutheran Church, Des Moines. He worked closely with ELCA congregations across Iowa, which supported Lutheran Social Service of Iowa through three of the ELCA's 65 synods.
Funeral services were held Nov. 20 in Des Moines and Nov. 22 in Fort Wayne. Gutmann is survived by his wife, Jeanine, his two sons, Daniel and Joseph, and his daughter, Laura.
Founded in 1870, Lutheran Social Service is one of Iowa's largest not-for-profit human service providers. The organization impacts communities through work in family and youth stabilization, early childhood development, out-of-home care, adoption, counseling, elderly services, refugee placement and resettlement, chaplaincy and congregational support services, advocacy and disability services. -- -- --
The Web site for Lutheran Social Service of Iowa is at http://www.lssia.org/ on the Internet.

*Jami Wisslead is director for communications, Lutheran Social Service
of Iowa, Des Moines, Iowa.

For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://listserv.elca.org/archives/elcanews.html