ELCA NEWS SERVICE August 31, 2005 Lutheran Theologian, Author, Seminary Dean, Gerhard Krodel Dies 05-159-FI/JS* CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Rev. Gerhard A. Krodel, a German born theologian and educator who taught at three of the eight seminaries of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), died Aug. 28, 2005, at his home in Gettysburg, Pa., following a long illness. He was 79. "Gerhard Krodel had an unrelenting passion for the gospel of Jesus Christ. Imparting its message and equipping others to do so was his life's work," said the Rev. Michael L. Cooper-White, president of the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg (LTSG), where Krodel retired in 1994 as the Glatfelter Professor of Biblical Studies. Cooper-White visited Krodel in the week before Krodel's death. "I asked what gave him the greatest joy as he looked back over his life and ministry. Without hesitation he responded, `my students,'" Cooper-White said. "On behalf of all of them, and on behalf of Gettysburg Seminary where he spent his final pre- retirement years as professor and dean, I salute this man of God, pastor of the church and widely known professor and theologian: Well done, good and faithful servant." A memorial service will be held Sept. 10 in LTSG's chapel. Born Feb. 7, 1926, in Liechtenstein (Saxony), Germany, Krodel was a graduate of the University of Regensburg, Germany. He earned a divinity degree and doctorate from the University of Erlangen, Germany. He also studied at the University of Tuebingen, Germany, and Union Theological Seminary, New York. Krodel was ordained in the former American Lutheran Church in 1952 and served as pastor of St. John Lutheran Church, Long Beach, N.Y., for three years. Recognized as a biblical scholar specializing in the New Testament, Krodel began his 40-year teaching career in 1955 as a professor of classical languages and religion at Capital University, Columbus, Ohio. Capital is one of the ELCA's 28 colleges and universities. Krodel taught New Testament at Wartburg Theological Seminary, Dubuque, Iowa, 1958-1964, and at the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia, 1964-1977. He served as dean of the Philadelphia seminary from 1973 to 1977, when he joined the faculty of LTSG as dean and professor. He was dean of the Gettysburg seminary until 1991. Dr. Edward Sites, a University of Pittsburgh professor who chaired the seminary's board of directors at the time of Krodel's retirement in 1994, said Krodel left his mark on both the seminary and the Lutheran church with "brilliant scholarship, inspirational teaching, and energetic leadership in theological education." Krodel authored 10 books and published more than 50 additional scholarly articles, including several commentaries on parts of the New Testament. He was the editor of Fortress Press' "Proclamation Commentaries," one of the most widely used resources by clergy in preparation for preaching. Krodel served on the Commission on Faith and Order of the National Council of Churches USA. He represented the Lutheran church on the International Orthodox-Lutheran Dialog in the 1980s and 1990s. For more than two decades he served as president of the Lutheran Board for Mission Support, which collected funds for the establishment of a Lutheran Seminary in Russia. He is survived by his wife Joan, three daughters, four grandchildren, a brother and a sister. -- -- -- The home page for the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg is at http://www.ltsg.edu/ on the Web. * The Rev. John R. Spangler is director of mission interpretation and communication, Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg. For information contact: John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or [log in to unmask] http://www.elca.org/news