“Death came suddenly, unexpectedly and too soon for Pastor Michael Wuchter ’68,” said former student, now Lutheran pastor, Joanna Norris Grimshaw ’92, in a recent e-mail reflection.

“But I’m glad he was at Wittenberg while I was a student there. I cherish the many memories. Michael was a gentle man who was rooted in the justice and peace of the Gospel,” she said.

Aug. 5, 2000 will be remembered by many as the day when a beloved man of Christ passed from this earthly realm.

Autopsy reports confirmed that Wuchter, 54, suffered a heart attack while on a mission trip to Africa with his wife, Shirley Dyer Wuchter ’68, and Richard and Beatrice Ojakangas from First Lutheran Church, their home church in Duluth, Minn.

Wuchter had served as senior pastor of First Lutheran for the last three years. The two couples traveled to Ohaingu, Namibia to represent First Lutheran at the Lutheran parish’s dedication of a new sanctuary.

The Ohaingu parish offered to cancel the dedication service, but Shirley Wuchter insisted that it continue, saying Michael would have wanted it that way. She and the Ojakangases joined more than 2,000 others at the service.

Back home in Minnesota, more than a 1,000 people gathered Aug. 14 to remember Wuchter during his funeral service at First Lutheran, including the Rev. Larry Houff, who worked with Wuchter during Wuchter’s 17-year career at Wittenberg.

“One of the many things about Michael was his marvelous gift for remembering stories or facts about students, and pulling those memories out at just the right time,” Houff said.

“Often at a student’s wedding or anniversary celebration, Michael would make mention of those personal remembrances and memories. It was really one of Michael’s special gifts.”

At the same time, members of First Lutheran’s sister church in Africa honored Wuchter’s life and ministry. And inside Weaver Chapel on Wittenberg’s campus, still others gathered for a service of prayer and remembrance.

“The thing I’ll remember about Michael,” began retired Administrative Assistant Sarah Tyree, “is that he always included everybody, and he was always willing to help others.

In the chapel, Michael involved everybody and considered long-time sextons Judy Massie and Phyllis Jenkins just as much a part of the team as Larry Houff and I. I respected this.”

Joy Wigal French ’89, former Weaver Chapel Association president, noted that “Michael had an amazing ability to calm people down, which was something very important in a college setting.”

French also shared how Michael always focused on the positives. “To this day, when I start complaining about anything, I find myself looking for the positive aspect and thinking of Michael.”

During his 17 years at Wittenberg, Wuchter served on the president’s cabinet and conducted a 75-hour-a-week program of campus ministry.

In 1993, he received the prestigious Alumni Association Class of 1914 Award for meritorious service above what might be expected.

Throughout his career, Wuchter was involved in numerous organizations and committees concerning disabilities, hunger, environmental issues, campus and prison ministry, refugee settlement, peace education, international service and ecumenical relations.

“Michael was a hard worker, always reading, always learning,” Houff added. “When people were in pain, Michael was not at rest.”

Wuchter is survived by his wife, Shirley, his son, Andrew, his daughter, Kirsten, his parents, the Rev. Robert and Eleanor Wuchter, two brothers, Timothy and Stephen and their families, a brother-in-law, Jim Dyer, and his wife, Jolene Riggle Dyer ’71, and numerous nieces and nephews, including Jamie Dyer Gregory ’98, Steven Gregory ’97 and Joseph Dyer ’02.

First Lutheran Church in Minnesota has established The Michael Wuchter Memorial Fund in his honor. A formal memorial service for Wuchter is scheduled for Oct. 20 in Weaver Chapel.

— Seth Bridger ’97 and
Shelley Nelson-Bridger ’99