ELCA NEWS SERVICE February 25, 2009 L. Edwin Wang, Lutheran Church Pensions Executive, Dies 08-051-KS*/JB MINNEAPOLIS (ELCA) -- Dr. L. Edwin Wang, retired chief executive of the former Augustana Pension and Aid Fund, and its successor, the Lutheran Church in America (LCA) Board of Pensions, died of natural causes at his home Jan. 28. He was 89. A memorial service is planned for 11 a.m. March 14 at Normandale Lutheran Church, Edina, Minn., where Wang was an active member for 50 years. For 31 years, Wang served as chief executive of the pensions programs for the Augustana Evangelical Lutheran Church and the LCA until ill health compelled him to retire in 1987. Known for his devoted, enthusiastic and highly capable service, Wang kept the welfare of both the beneficiaries and benefit plans -- current and prospective -- front and center during his tenure, according to a news release. In 1988 the LCA merged with two other Lutheran church bodies to form the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). "Ed had tremendous energy to serve other people," said John G. Kapanke, ELCA Board of Pensions president, who worked for Wang from 1973 to 1987. "While he was intellectually gifted and a student of insurance and pension matters, his natural gift was creating and promoting plans to support our leaders. He cared that their benefits were strong and wanted to free them from worry so they could focus on ministry." Kapanke became president of the ELCA Board of Pensions in 1988. The Minneapolis-based ELCA Board of Pensions provides retirement, health, disability and survivor benefits to 50,000 pastors and church workers who serve through the ELCA. "Ed helped shape the foundation that supports our benefit program today. But there's more to his legacy. Ed also understood the importance of the church's mission and how to help fulfill it for the sake of ministry. He did right by those he was charged to serve. That tradition, thanks to Ed's early leadership, lives on today for those who serve through the ELCA." Born in Medford, Ore., Wang attended the University of California, Oakland (Calif.) Junior College and the University of Minnesota. He was managing an insurance agency in Oakland when he was asked to move to Minneapolis in 1956 and serve the Augustana Pension and Aid Fund. When Augustana and three other Lutheran church bodies merged in 1962 to create the LCA, Wang was named chief executive. Under his leadership the assets of the LCA Board of Pensions grew from $7 million to about $805 million. Wang's financial acumen was recognized and respected outside church circles, said Kapanke, who counts Wang as a mentor, role model and friend. In addition to Wang's service in congregations, he was a past member of the board of directors of Mutual of America Life Insurance Company, the Pension Research Council of the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, and the board of trustees of the National Foundation for Philanthropy. In 1967 Wang received an Outstanding Service Award from Minnesota Gov. Harold LeVander for serving as the state's acting commissioner of insurance. In 1970 Midland Lutheran College, Fremont, Neb., awarded Wang an honorary doctorate of humane letters. Midland is one of 28 ELCA colleges and universities. Wang studied Egyptian history and was past president of the Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Foundation, the news release said. He also loved fishing. Wang is survived by his wife, Astrid, a son, David, and two daughters, Linnea and Judith, plus several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. --- * Kathy Shea is a health and wellness communications specialist for the ELCA Board of Pensions. 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