David G. Truemper
David G. Truemper, Professor of Theology and former Chair of the Department of Theology at Valparaiso University, died peacefully early Saturday afternoon, October 30 ending a two-year struggle with cancer. David was until this spring also Director of the Institute for Liturgical Studies here at VU. He was a champion for the diaconate and a strong supporter of the Lutheran Deaconess Association. His "fields" were systematic theology and liturgy, and he taught many deaconess students over the years--Worship, Theology of the Lutheran Confessions, Basic Homiletics. He was regularly one of the "chaplains" presiding at the Wednesday morning Eucharistic services at the Center and facilitating the homily/worship conversations over breakfast. Dave served on the LDA's education committee and was a member of the Plan 4 committee, assisting with the selection of most of the Plan 4 students in the past ten years. One of his last formal teaching activities was to facilitate the pre-conference deaconess renewal event in Minneapolis in June. When I asked him if he was "up to" this, his reply was, "I owe so much to the deaconess community. I can't say 'no.'" With Joanna he served on the committee that planned with LDA's 85th Anniversary celebration, and the dinner on October 1 was his last public outing. He was grateful for all the prayers and greetings from the deaconess community. Since his cancer diagnosis and throughout his illness, Dave was generous with friends, colleagues and students about what was happening to him. Mostly, in the end, he allowed himself to be held by God whose grace he preached and taught and in whose grace he lived and died. We will miss our friend at VU and at the Center.
David is survived by his wife Joanna (1557 Sherwood Dr, Valparaiso, IN 46385), two daughters and sons-in-law, and, I think, three grandchildren of whom he was very proud. The funeral will be Wednesday afternoon, November 3, at 1:30 p.m. at the Chapel of the Resurrection, Valparaiso University. A reception will follow in the lobby of the VU Center for the Arts. Visitation will be Tuesday, November 2, 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. also at the Chapel.