David Truemper Obituary

David George Truemper Valparaiso The Reverend Doctor David G. Truemper, age 65, died on October 30, 2004 at Porter Valparaiso Hospital Campus following a two-year treatment for cancer. He is survived by his wife, Joanna of 41 years; daughters Pamela (Christopher) Werling of Oswego, Illinois, and Rebekah Truemper (Daniel Seltzer) of Vallejo, California; three grandchildren, Zachary and Cayla Werling and Sidonie Seltzer; mother, Erna Truemper of Winterhaven, Florida; and sister, Janet (Bernard) Zimdahl of Elgin, Illinois. He was preceded in death by his father, George C. Truemper. David was born on February 1, 1939 in Aurora, Illinois. He attended St. Paul's Lutheran School in Aurora, followed by Concordia Junior College in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, before earning his B.A. with high distinction from Concordia Senior College in Ft. Wayne, Indiana, in 1961. He received his M.Div. in 1965, and his S.T.M. from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. He earned his Ph.D at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago/Christ Seminary-Seminex in 1974. He was ordained into the ministry in 1968 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Aurora. In 1967, David began 37 years of dedicated service to Valparaiso University, primarily as a professor of theology. His principal areas of teaching were Luther and the Lutheran Confessional Writings, Constructive Theology, Ecumenism, Sacramental and Liturgical Theology, and Christology. Since 1993 he served as Chair of the Department of Theology. From 1974 to 1976 he was the Director of Valparaiso University's Reutlingen (Germany) Study Center. For most of his years at V.U. he was associated with the Institute of Liturgical Studies, serving as its director since 1985. Since 1992 he was Executive Director of the Council on the Study of Religion. David's pastoral ministry included Griffith Lutheran Church in Griffith, Indiana, St. John Lutheran Church in LaCrosse, Indiana, and the Chapel of the Resurrection, Valparaiso University. Beyond the University, he served on the Board of Directors for the Visiting Nurse Association and Home Health Services of Porter County since 1991 and as President of the Home Health Services since 1994. David's professional memberships included the American Academy of Religion, the Council on the Study of Religion, the North American Academy of Liturgy, and Societas Liturgica. In addition, he published and lectured extensively. In addition to his work, David enjoyed golf and tennis, travel and photography, developing software and building computers, and spending time with his growing family. The funeral service will be held on Wednesday, November 3, 2004 at 1:30 PM at the Valparaiso University Chapel of the Resurrection. Following the service, cremation will take place at Angelcrest Crematory, located at the Moeller Funeral Home, Valparaiso. Interment of ashes will be at the Columbarium at the Chapel of the Resurrection, Valparaiso University. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, November 2nd, from 4:00 to 8:00 PM, also at the Chapel of the Resurrection. Memorial contributions may be made to VNA Hospice of Porter County or Valparaiso University. angelcrestinc.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Times from Nov. 2 to Nov. 3, 2004.

Memories and Condolences
for David Truemper

5 Entries

Dale Johnson

November 29, 2004

Dear Truemper family:

I came to know Dave through our work with the journal Religious Studies Review. He was a meticulous and imaginative managing editor of the journal and clearly put it on solid ground after a shaky finish at Mercer University. He also used his technological and entrepreneurial abilities to significant benefit for the journal and the CSSR, its umbrella sponsoring agency. He mentioned a couple of times that he hoped to take this work into retirement because he liked it so much. Those of us who worked with him on the journal are extremely grateful for his many contributions and are grieved by his death. Our deepest sympathies to the family.

Darlene Grega

November 8, 2004

Dear Truemper family:

David was my first professor of theology and inspired me to major in it. Through the years I served as a lay person in campus ministry, then went into higher education in student affairs. A year ago, I returned to Luther seminary to complete an MDiv degree. Yesterday I preached on All Saints Sunday ans was pleased to have named him with the saints who have influenced my life. May God bless you with the knoweldge of the resurrection! Darlene Grega, '76

Tom & Ann Earley

November 4, 2004

I am the cousin of Joanna Truemper. I did not know Dave, but through the occasional Christmas family newsletter and pictures. I was widowed in my 40s, though, and know the pain of loosing your partner and the love of your life. Grief is the price we pay for love. Know that despite the miles of road and the distance our lives have taken us, we are your Georgia extended family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Tom & Ann Earley

Tom Sievers

November 2, 2004

Dear Mrs. Truemper and Family,

I have often been a rival or a teammate of your husband over the last several years during the weekend Forest Park Men's Club "events". We shared our love of the game of golf and often talked about our ties to VU. He will always be a very good man in my mind. You know, on occasion I heard him swear a bit now and again after a bad shot or missed putt; somewhat a surprise from such an articulate and wise theologian?! But, he would always follow the "explosion" with a quick, witty smile and a comment on how golf, and sometimes life treated we human beings so unfairly...!? You and your family have my deepest condolences. Vaya Con Dios, Dave.

Brenda Husman

November 2, 2004

Dear Mrs. Truemper and family,

My deepest sympathy to you at this time. I have such fond memories of David while a deaconess student at Valpo (96-98). He truly was a treasured educator and respected man. He will be missed by many.

God's Blessings,

Deaconess Brenda Husman

Showing 1 - 5 of 5 results