ELCA NEWS SERVICE
July 17, 2006
ELCA Pastor's Death at Roanoke College is Under Investigation
06-104-FI
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Rev. Walter J. Vierling, 91, a retired
pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA),
Pearisburg, Va., died July 14 while attending "Power in the
Spirit," an annual conference sponsored by the ELCA Virginia
Synod, at Roanoke College, Salem, Va. His death is being
investigated to see if it is related to a carbon monoxide leak in
the dormitory where he was staying. Roanoke is one of 28 ELCA
colleges and universities.
"Our deepest sympathy of everyone on this campus is with the
Vierling family and all of those who have been affected," said
Teresa Gereaux, director of public relations, Roanoke College, in
a news release.
A carbon monoxide build-up early July 14 at the "Sections" -
- three connected dormitories on the campus -- sent more than 100
people to Salem area hospitals for evaluation. In addition to
conference participants, 37 teen-agers on campus for an Upward
Bound program were staying there.
Organizers of "Power in the Spirit" and members of the
Roanoke College community gathered for worship the evening of
July 14 in Olin Hall on campus to remember Vierling and pray for
those hurt in the incident. "We appreciate the presence and love
for one another shown here today," said the Rev. R. Paul
Henrickson, dean of the Roanoke College chapel.
Dr. Sabine O'Hara, Roanoke president, was in Minnesota for
her son's wedding at the time of the incident and returned to
campus for the service. "We're profoundly grateful for the
prayers, words of support and the care expressed," she said.
"It is in times like these when we deal with tragic events,
with unexpected events, with events that are out of our control,
that a community proves itself," O'Hara said, "and this community
has certainly proven itself."
O'Hara visited patients July 15 at Lewis-Gale Medical
Center, Salem. At a news conference she expressed sympathy to
the Vierling family and concern for all affected by the incident.
An update on the college's Web site said after noon on July
16 one woman remained hospitalized in stable condition at
Lewis-Gale. She had been listed in critical condition when
admitted July 14.
Lewis-Gale received and evaluated 62 people related to the
carbon monoxide incident. Another 49 people were evaluated at
Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital, Roanoke, Va.
Roanoke College "has installed carbon monoxide alarms in
several campus residence halls and plans to install more in the
coming days. This temporary safety measure is being put into
place while the college explores more permanent options available
to work with the current fire alarm system," according to its Web
site.
Upward Bound students returned to campus as previously
scheduled. They are housed in other dormitories. The "Sections"
is closed and will be reopened only after the source of the
problem has been identified and corrected, Gereaux said.
The City of Salem is investigating the carbon monoxide leak,
focusing on a potential failure in the gas hot water system. The
dormitories were built in 1910, 1913 and 1956, and "Sections" was
renovated in 1986.
Vierling was remembered during Sunday worship July 16 at
Redeemer Evangelical Lutheran Church, Pearisburg, where he served
35 years. A funeral service is planned for July 19 at First
United Methodist Church, Pearisburg. His wife, Dorothy Corbin
Vierling, died in 2001. They are survived by their three adult
children.
-- -- --
The home page for Roanoke College is at
http://www.roanoke.edu/ on the Web.
For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or [log in to unmask]
http://www.elca.org/news
ELCA News Blog: http://www.elca.org/news/blog
