Raymond HEDBERG

Pastor Raymond Hedberg passed away on November 21, 2013 in Seattle, Washington where he lived, surrounded by family and friends. He was born in St. Charles, Illinois on March 7, 1915. After being raised on a farm in Iowa, he graduated summa cum laude from Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois and received his theological training at Augustana Theological Seminary. Raymond and Margaret Ranseen of Chicago, Illinois were married in 1944. After serving churches in Seattle, Connecticut and Los Angeles, Pastor Hedberg was senior minister at Arlington Hills Lutheran Church in St. Paul 1959-1982. He received his Doctor of Divinity in 1963 from Augustana Theological Seminary and studied at both Cambridge and Oxford Universities. He was the longtime secretary of the Lutheran Church in America's national synod and served on the unification committee of the Lutheran Church leading to the formation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. After Ray retired in 1982, he and Margaret moved to Green Valley, Arizona where they spent 17 years of happy retirement. In 1998 they moved to Seattle to be closer to family, and the next year his beloved Margaret passed away. Throughout his life he was a role model of grace, tolerance and wisdom. He lived each day with gratitude and with devotion to family and friends. He touched many lives and leaves behind a legacy as broad as it is deep. Ray is survived by his son John Hedberg and wife Annie of Golden CO; daughter Jane Hedberg and partner Peter Callinicos of Seattle; daughter Janet Somers and husband Gary of Mercer Island, WA; grandchildren Caitlin and Caleb Hedberg; Nathaniel, Brady and Jenna Somers; and numerous friends and loved ones. Memorials can be sent to Gethsemane Lutheran Church, Seattle WA designated "Hedberg Memorial."