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Ralph Bohlmann Obituary

Bohlmann, Ralph Arthur a former president of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod and of Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, passed from this life on Sunday, July 24 2016. He was 84. Ralph was born February 20, 1932 in Palisade, Nebraska, the second child of Rev. Arthur E. and Anne F. (Weeke) Bohlmann. He graduated from St. John's College in Winfield, Kansas in 1951 and from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri in 1956. He studied at the University of Heidelberg, Germany as a Fulbright Scholar from 1956 to 1957 and taught at Concordia College in Milwaukee, Wisconsin from 1957 to 1958. Ralph was ordained on June 28, 1958 and served as pastor of Mt. Olive Lutheran Church in Des Moines, Iowa from 1958 to 1960. There he met Patricia Anne McCleary, daughter of Carl and Aileen McCleary of Perry, Iowa; they were married on April 19, 1959 and spent over 53 years together as husband and wife. Ralph joined the Concordia Seminary faculty in St. Louis in 1960 and taught there for many years, earning an S.T.M. degree from the seminary in 1966 and a Ph.D. from Yale University in 1968. He was named Acting President of the seminary on May 20, 1974, and on May 3, 1975, he was elected as its seventh President. During his seminary career, Ralph was also an assistant pastor at Grace Lutheran Church in Pagedale, Missouri from 1961 to 1971, and he served in several roles with the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, including a 1965 appointment to its Commission on Theology and Church Relations, which he served as Secretary from 1967 to 1971. Ralph was elected as the ninth President of the Lutheran ChurchMissouri Synod on July 5, 1981 and served in that office until 1992, when he was named President emeritus. Ralph is preceded in death by his parents Arthur (May 15, 1975) and Anne (December 29, 2002), his brother Victor (July 14, 2004), and his wife Patricia (September 14, 2012). Ralph is survived by his two children, Paul (born February 18, 1960), who lives in New York, New York and has recently been an Assistant Dean at Columbia University, and Lynn (born May 24, 1963), who lives in Jacksonville, Illinois and is pastor of the Congregational United Church of Christ. Lynn is the mother of his two grandchildren, Lucas, age 16, and Jesse, age 12. Ralph is also survived by his sister Gloria Stigge, of Iowa City, Iowa; his brother John (Mary), of Indian Shores, Florida; his brother Mark (Becky), of Columbus, Ohio; his sister-in-law Rebekah Williams, of Dunnellon, Florida; and many friends in the U.S. and abroad who have enriched his life. Services: Visitation will be at the Chapel of St. Timothy and St. Titus at Concordia Seminary in Clayton, Missouri (801 Seminary Place) on Wednesday, July 27, from 12:00 noon to 2:00 p.m., followed by a funeral service at the chapel at 2:00 p.m. Memorial gift suggestions are Concordia Lutheran Church in Kirkwood, Concordia Seminary Student Aid Fund, and Lutheran Senior Service Benevolence Fund. www.boppchapel.com

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

Published by St. Louis Post-Dispatch on Jul. 26, 2016.

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5 Entries

August 8, 2016

Dear Lynn and Paul: We just learned of your father's passing today and we extend to you our deepest sympathy. Your father and mother were indeed special people and I enjoyed my years working for your father and the Commission on Theology and Church Relations. Again, our deepest sympathy and God's continued blessings to you and your families. Howard and Jane Weihe, 15557 State Route 127, Hoyleton, Illinois 62803

Jo Roy

August 7, 2016

I was saddened to hear of Ralph's passing. I got to know Ralph & Pat as neighbors in Dougherty Lake. I loved our visits when he'd stop to talk while walking his dog. He knew I loved to garden and would stop and say "you're working too hard!" I would say that was "funny , coming from someone who did such important work in his lifetime". During one of our conversations I told him I needed a new shovel, as I had worn mine out. When I heard he was moving, I stopped by to see him to tell him I was going to miss our talks. He said "Oh, I'm glad to see you - I have something for you. He gave me his shovel - said it was going into his garage sale, but he pulled this item back to give to me. I'm still using Ralph's shovel and still think of him fondly. What a lovely man.

Linda Groth

August 1, 2016

My deepest sympathies to Rev. Bohlmann's family. What a servant of God he was! One of his relatives, Pastor Roger Grummer, was my pastor at Concoria Lutheran Church in Bedford, TX. What a rich spiritual heritage and legacy he has passed on. God's peace and comfort. Jesus' words of "Well done, good and faithful servant," sure ring loud and clear!

Jonathan Ripke

July 28, 2016

Paul and Lynn, God's peace and comfort to you at the passing of your father. As a field worker at Concordia, Kirkwood, I was surprised to find that the kind, friendly gentleman who sat behind me at worship each week was the former president of my seminary! While our acquaintance was brief, Dr. Bohlmann taught me that one's accomplishments are not what makes a person; it is living the love of Christ in daily life that proclaims the best Good News of all. Along with you, I look forward to greeting Dr. Bohlmann again when our Lord calls us to life at His return.

Rev. Robert Graul

July 28, 2016

I would cross paths with Ralph when visiting my mother Norma Graul and worshipping at Concordia Lutheran Church in Kirkwood. It was inspirational to me that out of his background, Ralph chose to join Concordia Kirkwood, and I marveled that he always took time to greet my brother Larry, a Dpwn Syndrome member who regularly did ushering and acolyte roles.Giving thanks for the life of a distinguished church leader, academic scholar with a pastoral heart who reflected Jesus' example to spend time with the 'little ones"

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