wfn.org | Albert Stauderman, Former Editor of the Lutheran, Dies

[News News <NEWS@ELCA.ORG>]

ELCA NEWS SERVICE

November 7, 2002

ALBERT STAUDERMAN, FORMER EDITOR OF THE LUTHERAN, DIES
02-260-JB

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Rev. Albert P. Stauderman, former editor for
The Lutheran, the magazine of the former Lutheran Church in America
(LCA), and pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA),
died Nov. 3 in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., where he lived.  Stauderman,
92, died following a lengthy illness.
     Though Stauderman is best known in the church for his 27-year
career with The Lutheran, he also authored several books.  They include
"Forty Proven Ways to a Successful Church," "My Congregation at Work,"
"Understanding My Congregation," "Earth Has No Sorrow," "Facts About
Lutherans" and "Our New Church."  He also wrote two widely used
religious education texts, "Journey Through Acts" and "Words of Warning
and Forgiveness."
     The ELCA was formed in 1988 through a merger of the LCA, the
American Lutheran Church and the Association of Evangelical Lutheran
Churches.
     In 1972, Stauderman was first elected editor of The Lutheran and
director of the LCA Commission on Church Papers.  He was re-elected
editor in 1974 and 1976 before retiring in 1978.
     Stauderman moved to Philadelphia to join the staff of The Lutheran
as associate editor in 1951, when it was the weekly magazine of the
former United Lutheran Church in America, a predecessor to the LCA.  He
was also managing editor of Muhlenberg Press.  In 1970, he became the
magazine's executive editor.  Stauderman became acting editor and acting
commission director in 1971 before he was elected editor.
     In 1978, Stauderman was quoted in an article in The Lutheran,
offering advice to the members of the management committee of the LCA
Office of Communication shortly before he retired.  The article was
written by the Rev. Edgar R. Trexler, Stauderman's successor.
     "Be modest," Stauderman said in The Lutheran article. "Writing
that is concise, simple and easy-to-read is appreciated.  Second, speak
out, stating your positions clearly.  Third, expect changes, whether
they be in salary scales, or in the types of articles which need to be
printed.  Finally, keep your cool even when there is trouble with the
typesetter or when readers get upset."	     Following retirement,
Stauderman served as an interim pastor at congregations in Boca Raton,
Tequesta and Lake Park, all in Florida.
     Stauderman was born in 1910 in Mount Vernon, N.Y.	In 1931, he
earned a bachelor's degree from Wagner College, Staten Island, N.Y., and
in 1934 earned a bachelor of divinity degree from Hartwick Theological
Seminary, Brooklyn, N.Y.  In 1936, Stauderman earned a masters degree
from Columbia University, New York.  He was awarded honorary doctorates
by Wagner College and Susquehanna University, Selinsgrove, Pa.; both are
ELCA-affiliated higher education institutions.
     Before he entered the ministry, Stauderman was a staff writer and
copy editor for the New York Times for six years.  Following his
ordination in 1934, he served 18 months as pastor at St. Paul Lutheran
Church, Mount Vernon, and served 16 years as pastor of St. Paul Lutheran
Church, Teaneck, N.J.
     He was one of the organizers of the New Jersey Synod and was first
president of its Northern Conference.  Stauderman was a member of many
boards and committees of the Lutheran church, president of the National
Lutheran Editors Association and a director of the Associated Church
Press.
     In 1965, he received the Distinguished Service Award from Lutheran
Brotherhood, and in 1981, he received the 50-year "Key for Lifetime
Achievement" from Wagner College.
     Stauderman was preceded in death by Martha, his wife of 54 years.
He is survived by his wife, Ruth, whom he married in 2000, a son, Albert
Jr., Wilton, Conn., a daughter, Susan Deckhart, Fairless Hills, Pa., and
eight grandchildren.
     A memorial service is planned for 11 a.m., Nov. 8 at St. John
Lutheran Church, Lake Park, Fla., where Stauderman was a member.

For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
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