CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Rev. Walter R. Wietzke, a well-respected leader in theological education and ministry in the former American Lutheran Church (ALC) and retired pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), died Jan. 13.
At the time of his death, Wietzke, 84, had been living in Golden Valley, Minn.
Wietzke is best known for his service in the ALC as executive director of the Division for Theological Education and Ministry from 1972 to 1987. The ALC was a predecessor church body of the ELCA. In 1988 it merged with the Lutheran Church in America and the Association of Evangelical Lutheran Churches to form the ELCA.
"Those who served directly with Dr. Wietzke over the years testify with gratitude to the depth of his convictions, the clarity of his thought and the courage of his leadership. They cherish the recollections of his conscientious service as a parish pastor. He offered a superb model of insightful and responsible pastoral leadership. He also showed a holy impatience when he heard of some who failed to take their pastoral duties seriously," said the Rev. Mark S. Hanson, ELCA presiding bishop, in a tribute to Wietzke.
"Throughout the 15 years that he served as the executive director of the Division for Theological Education and Ministry in the American Lutheran Church, he rendered profound and strategic leadership for the cause of Lutheran theological education. Perhaps only those who knew in substantial detail of his efforts realize the scope of his creative contributions for the sake of the seminaries and continuing education centers that became a part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America,"
Hanson added.
Wietzke was born in 1922 in Chicago, where he grew up. In 1943 he earned a bachelor's degree from Capital University, Columbus, Ohio. In 1946 he earned a bachelor of divinity degree from Evangelical Lutheran Theological Seminary, Columbus, and in 1954 he earned a master of sacred theology degree from the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago (LSTC). In 1970 Capital University awarded him an honorary doctorate.
During his college career he was active in baseball, football and basketball. Later, Wietzke was inducted into the Capital University Athletic Hall of Fame.
Capital University is one of 28 ELCA colleges and universities. The Evangelical Lutheran Theological Seminary, now Trinity Lutheran Seminary, Columbus, and LSTC are among the ELCA's eight seminaries.
Wietzke was ordained in 1946 and served as pastor of Lutheran congregations in Hammond, Ind., Chicago and Detroit. From 1962 to 1972 he was pastor at University Lutheran Church, East Lansing, Mich. and was campus pastor to students at Michigan State University. He taught at Michigan State's Department of Religion in the College and Arts and Letters from 1963 to 1968.
Wietzke held several administrative positions during his career. He was president of the ALC Chicago Pastor's Association; president, Detroit Pastor's Conference; president, ALC Southern Michigan Conference; president, Religious Advisors, Michigan State University; vice president, ALC Michigan District; member, ALC Church Council and its executive committee; and executive secretary, Lutheran Student Foundation, Michigan State University. He also served on various civics boards and committees.
Wietzke published a number of articles in church publications such as the Lutheran Standard, Lutheran Quarterly, Lutheran Outlook and Lutheran Herald. He was a songwriter, prophet and poet, according to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune.
Wietzke is survived by his wife of 56 years, Gloria, five children, Sandra, Robert, Walter, Karol and Mark, and 10 grandchildren.
A funeral service was held January 17 at Westwood Lutheran Church, St. Louis Park, Minn.
For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or news@elca.org
http://www.elca.org/news
ELCA News Blog: http://www.elca.org/news/blog
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About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:
The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with 2.8 million members in more than 8,500 worshiping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of "God's work. Our hands.," the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA's roots are in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther.
For information contact:
Candice Hill Buchbinder
Public Relations Manager
Candice.HillBuchbinder@ELCA.org
