Reverend Paul G. Bretscher Th.D.

1921 - 2016

Reverend Paul G. Bretscher, Th.D., was called home by his heavenly Father on April 12, 2016. He died in his home in Valparaiso, IN, under the loving care of his wife Connie, children, and VNA Hospice of Porter County. Rev. Bretscher was born Nov. 29, 1921, in Milwaukee, WI, to Rev. Paul M. and Minnie Bretscher. He and his three sisters and two brothers grew up on the campus of Concordia Teacher's College in River Forest, IL, where his father taught from 1924-1941. In 1946 he married Marguerite "Pooky" Melcher. They were married for 52 years and had 10 children together. After her death, he married Constance Connie (Bruegmann) Felten, who had been a teacher to all his children at Immanuel Lutheran School in Valparaiso. Rev. Bretscher graduated from Concordia Seminary St. Louis in 1946, where he also received his doctorate in 1966. He served as pastor of Redeemer Lutheran Church in New Orleans, LA, from 1948 until 1958, when he moved his growing family north to become a theology professor at Valparaiso University. In 1968 he became pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Valparaiso, where he served until retiring in 1992. He authored numerous hymns and nine books, including The World Upside Down and Right Side Up and Cain, Come Home! A bold proclaimer of the gospel throughout his life and ministry, he said: "Whenever I have worshiped God in our church, I have thereby testified that I believe in God as my creator, that by God-saving grace all who truly believe through Jesus Christ are raised from death to life eternal, and that the one who created and redeemed me will one day receive me to himself." Rev. Bretscher was preceded in death by his first wife Marguerite, his parents, and four siblings Thea Wessler, Ruth Ressmeyer, Esther Gruell, and Carl. His brother Manuel survives. Rev. Bretscher is also survived by Connie, his wife of 15 years, and children Prisca (Ray) Martens, Bethel (John)Crockett, Paul (Mary), Mike (Lois) Felten, Sarah (Dan) Stoehr, Monica (Scott) Schafer, Rachel (Jim) McMillan, Joel (Della), Seth (Janelle), Nathan (Debbie), Matthew (Michelle), 26 grandchildren, and 16 great grandchildren. His family carries on his faith filled legacy, boldly stating, as Rev. Bretscher did, "Lead on, Lord!" Memorials can be made to Valparaiso University, VNA Hospice of Porter County, or Porter County Animal Shelter. Visitation is at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Valparaiso 4-7 p.m. April 22 and 9:30-11:00 a.m. April 23, followed by a memorial service at 11:00.