wfn.org | Lutheran Social Service of Iowa Mourns Loss of Roger Gutmann

[News News <NEWS@ELCA.ORG>]

ELCA NEWS SERVICE

November 26, 2002

LUTHERAN SOCIAL SERVICE OF IOWA MOURNS LOSS OF ROGER GUTMANN
02-280-FI/JW*

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Roger C. Gutmann, president and chief executive
officer of Lutheran Social Service of Iowa, Des Moines, Iowa, died Nov.
16 of heart failure.  Gutmann served as a board member of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Division for Church in
Society.  He was 55.
     Gutmann was a voice for the children and families most impacted by
Iowa state budget cuts to human services, said Michael P. Buck, vice
president and chief financial officer, Lutheran Social Service of Iowa.
     "In his nine years as president and CEO of Lutheran Social
Service, Roger typified the passion of the employees to provide help,
hope and healing to vulnerable children, families and senior citizens in
Iowa," said Buck.  "He was a strong advocate for the needs of people and
for effective human service delivery systems in Iowa."
     "Roger was a dear friend and colleague, known for his deep
commitment to Lutheran social service and tireless advocacy on behalf of
children," said the Rev. Rebecca S. Larson, executive director, ELCA
Division for Church in Society, speaking on behalf of the unit.
     In a recent newsletter, Gutmann wrote, "With every challenge,
there is also great opportunity.  Our challenges are significant.  Our
response, in spite of few resources, will continue to be competent and
compassionate.	We will continue to advocate for the vulnerable."
     Gutmann was born in 1947 in Fort Wayne, Ind.  He earned a
bachelor's degree from Wartburg College, an ELCA higher education
institution in Waverly, Iowa.  He earned a master of social work degree
from Washington University, St. Louis.
     Gutmann served on the Wartburg College alumni board, was an
assistant Little League coach and served on social service boards.  He
lived in Grosse Pointe, Mich., before moving to Des Moines in 1993.
Gutmann was a U.S. Air Force veteran.
     Gutmann spoke frequently with political representatives, church
groups and others on the important role of social services.  In
partnership with Bremwood Lutheran Children's Home, Waverly, Iowa,
Gutmann was a leader in the integration process toward developing a new
social ministry organization.
     In addition to his service to the ELCA Division for Church in
Society, Gutmann served on the public policy staff advisory committee
for Lutheran Services in America (LSA) and on the Coalition for Family
and Children's Services in Iowa.  LSA is an alliance of the ELCA, the
Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod and their 280 social ministry
organizations.
     Gutmann was a member of Grace Lutheran Church, Des Moines.  He
worked closely with ELCA congregations across Iowa, which supported
Lutheran Social Service of Iowa through three of the ELCA's 65 synods.
     Funeral services were held Nov. 20 in Des Moines and Nov. 22 in
Fort Wayne.  Gutmann is survived by his wife, Jeanine, his two sons,
Daniel and Joseph, and his daughter, Laura.
     Founded in 1870, Lutheran Social Service is one of Iowa's largest
not-for-profit human service providers.  The organization impacts
communities through work in family and youth stabilization, early
childhood development, out-of-home care, adoption, counseling, elderly
services, refugee placement and resettlement, chaplaincy and
congregational support services, advocacy and disability services.
-- -- --
     The Web site for Lutheran Social Service of Iowa is at
http://www.lssia.org/ on the Internet.

*Jami Wisslead is director for communications, Lutheran Social Service
of Iowa, Des Moines, Iowa.

For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://listserv.elca.org/archives/elcanews.html