Albert Stauderman, Former Editor of the Lutheran, Dies
CHICAGO -- The Rev. Albert P. Stauderman, former editor forThe 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-yearcareer 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 AboutLutherans" and "Our New Church." He also wrote two widely usedreligious education texts, "Journey Through Acts" and "Words of Warningand Forgiveness."
The ELCA was formed in 1988 through a merger of the LCA, theAmerican Lutheran Church and the Association of Evangelical LutheranChurches.In 1972, Stauderman was first elected editor of The Lutheran anddirector of the LCA Commission on Church Papers. He was re-electededitor in 1974 and 1976 before retiring in 1978.
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Stauderman moved to Philadelphia to join the staff of The Lutheranas associate editor in 1951, when it was the weekly magazine of theformer United Lutheran Church in America, a predecessor to the LCA. Hewas also managing editor of Muhlenberg Press. In 1970, he became themagazine's executive editor. Stauderman became acting editor and actingcommission 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 LCAOffice of Communication shortly before he retired. The article waswritten by the Rev. Edgar R. Trexler, Stauderman's successor."Be modest," Stauderman said in The Lutheran article. "Writingthat is concise, simple and easy-to-read is appreciated. Second, speakout, stating your positions clearly. Third, expect changes, whetherthey be in salary scales, or in the types of articles which need to beprinted. Finally, keep your cool even when there is trouble with thetypesetter 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, heearned a bachelor's degree from Wagner College, Staten Island, N.Y., andin 1934 earned a bachelor of divinity degree from Hartwick TheologicalSeminary, 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 andcopy editor for the New York Times for six years.
Following hisordination in 1934, he served 18 months as pastor at St. Paul LutheranChurch, Mount Vernon, and served 16 years as pastor of St. Paul LutheranChurch, Teaneck, N.J.He was one of the organizers of the New Jersey Synod and was firstpresident of its Northern Conference.
Stauderman was a member of manyboards and committees of the Lutheran church, president of the NationalLutheran Editors Association and a director of the Associated ChurchPress.In 1965, he received the Distinguished Service Award from LutheranBrotherhood, and in 1981, he received the 50-year "Key for LifetimeAchievement" 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, AlbertJr., Wilton, Conn., a daughter, Susan Deckhart, Fairless Hills, Pa., andeight grandchildren.A memorial service is planned for 11 a.m., Nov. 8 at St. JohnLutheran Church, Lake Park, Fla., where Stauderman was a member.
