wfn.org | Roger Kahle, Lutheran Journalist, Died

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ELCA NEWS SERVICE

December 2, 1998

ROGER KAHLE, LUTHERAN JOURNALIST, DIED
98-237-FI

    CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Rev. Roger R. Kahle, an
international journalist who covered Lutheran issues and
events for 35 years, died of heart failure Dec. 1 at the age
of 55.  Kahle was managing editor of The Lutheran, magazine of
the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), and
president of the Associated Church Press.
    "All of us at The Lutheran and his friends around the
world remember Roger as a trusted colleague and friend, and a
highly competent journalist and editor," said the Rev. Edgar
R. Trexler, editor of The Lutheran.
    After a long history of heart difficulties, a
pacemaker/defibrillator was implanted recently in Kahle's
chest.  He returned to work at The Lutheran on a part-time
basis.
    "He was always upbeat, positive and caring.  He regularly
visited patients in the 'Mended Hearts' program," Trexler said
of Kahle.  "We thank God for placing Roger in our midst and
for the witness he made to all of us."
    "Roger Kahle was a major contributor to the strong
journalistic tradition associated with the Lutheran church
both in the United States and around the world," said the Rev.
Robert N. Bacher, ELCA executive for administration.  "He was
equally at home writing and editing for U.S. audiences and for
the many international settings in which Lutherans worship and
work.
    "Roger will be missed not only by his associates at The
Lutheran magazine but by all of us who benefitted from the
clarity and depth of his observations," said Bacher.  "Our
hearts and prayers go out to his wife, Susan, and their
children."
    Born in Everett, Wash., Kahle was a graduate of Concordia
College, Portland, Ore., and Concordia Senior College, Fort
Wayne, Ind.  He earned a master's of divinity degree at
Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, and a master's of science at
Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism, New York.
    From 1963 to 1965 Kahle was editor-in-chief and managing
editor of The Triangle, the student newspaper in Fort Wayne.
In St. Louis he was managing editor of The Seminarian.
    Kahle lectured in journalism at California State
University in Humbolt, Calif., and was a teaching assistant in
broadcast journalism at the University of Missouri, Columbia,
Mo.  He earned his doctorate in communication theory and
research, broadcast journalism and film at the University of
Missouri.
    Kahle's body of work includes scores of research
articles, award-winning radio and television programs and
documentaries, newspaper and magazine articles, and public
relations campaigns.
    Kahle was ordained a pastor of the Lutheran Church-
Missouri Synod in 1975 and was admitted to the clergy roster
of the Association of Evangelical Lutheran Churches (AELC) in
1978.  The AELC joined the American Lutheran Church and
Lutheran Church in America to form the ELCA in 1987.
    Kahle served the Lutheran Church of the Newtons, Newton,
Mass., while teaching at Boston University.  An associate
professor in the university's School of Public Communication,
he taught courses such as "Computer Applications in
Communication" and served the school as associate dean, acting
dean and acting chairman.
    In 1979 Kahle became English editor in the Information
Bureau of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) in Geneva,
Switzerland.  He was responsible for weekly news publications
reporting events in Lutheran churches around the world.
Founded in 1947, the LWF now has 124 member churches in 69
countries representing more than 57 million of the world's 61
million Lutherans.
    "Roger came to The Lutheran in the fall on 1987," said
Trexler.  "His knowledge of the international Lutheran church
was extensive and made a significant contribution to his work
here.  He also was the computer expert for our publishing
operation."
    Kahle maintained close international ties with Lutheran
journalists.  He returned to Geneva briefly in June 1998 to
provide news coverage of the LWF's annual council meeting.
    Kahle is survived by his wife, Susan Findling Kahle.
They are the parents of Michael, Sara and Kristin.  He is also
survived by his parents who live in Oregon.

For information contact:
Frank Imhoff, Assoc. Director (773) 380-2955 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://www.elca.org/co/news/current.html