In Loving Memory of
Reverend Dr. Walter H. Wagner
November 21, 1935 – January 17, 2025
Virtual Memorial Gathering
February 13, 2025
A Video Recording of the Memorial Gathering is available upon request.
Reverend Doctor Walter H. Wagner Obituary
Reverend Doctor Walter H. Wagner, 89, formerly of Bethlehem, PA, passed away Friday, January 17th, 2025, in Olathe, CO. He was the husband of the late Rev. Deborah M. (Kus) Wagner. Walter was born in Frankfurt-on-the-River Main, West Germany, a son of the late Ludwig A. and Karolina W. (Hain) Wagner and was raised in Queens, NY. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Gettysburg College where he graduated cum laude, his Master of Divinity from the Lutheran Theological Seminary, Master of Arts from Princeton Theological Seminary where he graduated summa cum laude and his Doctor of Philosophy from Drew University.
Reverend Wagner was ordained in 1960 by the United Lutheran Church of America. Walter served as full time pastorate to Calvary Lutheran Church, Cranford, NJ, Newark Lutheran Mission, Newark, NJ, Epiphany Lutheran Church, Warren, NJ and retired from Christ Lutheran Church, Allentown in 2001. He served as interim pastor to Morgenland Lutheran Church, Orefield, Saint Joseph Lutheran Church, Allentown, New Life Lutheran Church, New Tripoli and various congregations in New Jersey. Rev. Wagner served as an assisting pastorate to the First Korean United Methodist Church, Cherry Hill, NJ and as director of Theological Education for the Lutheran Church in America.
He served on the on the faculty at California Lutheran College, Thousand Oaks, CA, Upsala College, East Orange, NJ, Muhlenberg College, Allentown, PA, University of Saint Francis Health Arts Extension, Joliet, IL, Lafayette College, Easton, PA, Moravian Theological Seminary, Bethlehem, PA, and, most recently, the Respect Graduate School in Bethlehem, PA. Walter was a member of the Christian Ecumenical Relations with Jewish Communities on the national, regional and local level. He was involved in establishing the Institute for Jewish-Christian Understanding at Muhlenberg College. Walter served as the president of the American Association of University Professors, NJ. He served as president and as a board member for the Lutheran Historical Society of Eastern Pennsylvania and Haven House Mental Health Facility, Allentown, PA. Walter served as vice president and as a board member for the Casa Guadalupe, Allentown, PA. He was a board member for the Ecumenical Committee for Continuing Education at Moravian Theological Seminary, the Ethics Institute, Allentown, PA, Lehigh County Conference of Churches, Allentown, PA, New Jersey Council of Churches and the Moravian Music Foundation. Walter was the co-founder of the Ecumenical Studies Institute of Seton Hall University and Upsala College. He was the co-founder and coordinator of the New York Area Patristics Seminar. Walter served as the Ecumenical Relations Chair and on the Professional Leadership Committee for the Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod of the ELCA Ecumenical Relations Committee. He was an instructor for the Institute for Learning in Retirement and the Lay Academy of Moravian Theological Seminary.
Walter was the recipient of the Lindback Award for Distinguished Teaching, the Paul Empie Fellow for Promoting Ethical Values on Campus, the Minority Student Award to Faculty for Services to Students, and the Muhlenberg College Wallenberg Tribute Award in 2012. He also published articles in academic periodicals, reports on theological education and authored the books “Apostles: Christianity in the Second Century”, “The Zinzendorf-Muhlenberg Encounter: A Controversy in Search of Understanding”, “Opening the Qur’an: Introducing Islam’s Holy Book”, and “Beginnings and Endings: Fethullah Gulen’s Vision for Today’s World”.
Survivors: son, Nathan S. Wagner and daughter in law, Maria Ruby Wagner, of Montrose, CO.
Contributions:
The Respect Graduate School, 2200 Industrial Drive, Bethlehem, PA 18017
Christ Lutheran Church, 1245 Hamilton Street, Allentown, PA 18102
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SO PROUD OF MY CHILDHOOD FRIEND IN HOLLIS, QUEENS, NY WHERE WE WERE BOTH MEMBERS OF HOLY TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH. I WAS LOOKING FOR HIM AND SADLY FOUND THIS OBITUARY.
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Listening to all the wonderful comments and stories about Walter Wagner last evening makes me wonder if I can add anything new to the story that makes up our relationship with Walter—and Debbie. I found myself thinking that I possibly knew Walter the longest of anyone present last evening—I was a kid at Calvary, Cranford, New Jersey, when Walter was elected to co-pastor the congregation around 1960. I even remember the vote—it was ALMOST unanimous, there being only 1 negative vote. It turns out the pastor of the congregation voted No so as not to give Walter a swelled head–but knowing Walter as we came to know him, humbleness was part of his makeup. But we didn’t know that then! And everyone had a good laugh. He helped guide the congregation through a major building campaign, and to the uninitiated that is a minefield—but with Walter’s help Calvary built a new worship facility. So he was my pastor for a few years before he moved on. He taught second year confirmation (yes, it was a two-year program with over 40 in the class!), and I was particularly enthralled by his gift of teaching. Fast forward to the 1980’s, I had attended the Philadelphia Seminary and served in Southeastern Pennsylvania, called to a small congregation outside of Philadelphia.. At a conference at Muhlenberg I ran into Walter after so many years. It was such a pleasure hearing his voice and remembering me from Cranford days. Fast forward to the early 2000’s, and Walter actually became my parishioner when he and Debbie joined St. Matthew’s in Bethlehem. It takes a God with a sense of humor to create such a reversal of roles! But I appreciated all the more Walter’s presence in my life during that pastorate, and he skillfully helped guide a district-wide lay study on another serious minefield, the human sexuality study in 2009. Debbie assisted me as visitation pastor, and I returned the favor when she asked to be my spiritual mentor as part of her coursework.
For me it’s truly the end of an era, but as followers of Jesus we live in faith that even death will not separate us from Jesus—or one another. And to honor his German roots—–Sehen wir uns nicht mehr auf dieser Welt, dann ganz bestimmt im Himmelszelt.
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Rev. Dr. Walter Wagner was a very warm, likable, intelligent gentleman that I’m glad I had the opportunity to know especially when he was my Pastor in Allentown, PA.
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I am saddened at Professor Rev. Walter Wagner’s absence from us. From the first time in which I or my husband took his classes, Walter touched our hearts and minds. His presence and his teaching style made it easier to grasp the topics and new insights. Walter and Debbie were each unique and precious beings in our life, and I will miss them yet will always carry in my heart what they have given me just by being who God created them to be and do. Thank you Lord!
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Dearest Dr. Wagner,
You touched my life. You clothed yourself in Christ, and I was blessed when our paths merged. Thank you for walking with me.
May the peace and blessings of Christ be with you.
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(I am not sure I will be able to attend/watch the Virtual Memorial, because I have a schedule Congregational Council meeting at the same time.)
I first met Walter when he was the chaplain at Muhlenberg College (1986). I had just graduated from my own college and he introduced me to a Muhlenberg senior that would later become my wife. [Dr. Diane (Krill) Holben] In fact, he performed the wedding ceremony for us three years later.
Over the years, I remember him best as one of my ‘Spiritual Fathers’, as I too am an ordained ELCA pastor. I remember going to him when I was first trying to get my start and my feet on the ground. He had practical advice and a keen understanding of the politics involved in every situation. He could clue-me-in as to the background politics of what was happening and why ‘those in authority’ were doing and saying things that I could not understand. He comforted, he enlightened, and he encouraged me when I needed it most.
Over the past (almost) 40 years, I would see him from time to time, popping up in the oddest places: Usually involved with a conference or discussion as one of the speakers. It happened so often that I started referring to him as “a bad penny”. We laughed about it and caught each other up on what had happened since the last time we met. He always wanted to know what Diane (wife) was up to and how ‘The Ministry’ was treating me.
I have so many fond memories of Walter. – Rev. Brian R. Holben (Allentown, Pa.)
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I have never met anyone like Walter Wagner. He was a genius, but could speak to us humble earthlings with kindness, humor, honesty, and depth. A friend and I considered ourselves Walter’s biggest fans and considered creating t-shirts that mused WWWD – What Would Walter Do? It was an honor to journey for a time with Walter and I wonder what Luther’s “Table Talk in Eternity” will include with Walter in attendance at the table.
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I bring the gratitude and condolences of the whole Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod of the ELCA. Pastor Wagner made such a strong and lasting impact on this synod, this church, and this world. In Peace, Bishop Christopher deForest.
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Tribute for Rev. Dr. Walter H. Wagner
By Dr. Happy-Joel Uusiku, Namibia
The news of the passing on of Rev. Dr. Walter Wagner has reached distant shores including Namibia. About a week ago, on 28/01/2025 to be exact, while waiting, in my dental surgery, for the next patient, I took my phone, scrolled to Facebook and only to see a notification from Nicolas Barka, a fellow former International student at Muhlenberg College, with a picture of Rev. Wagner and the caption: Walter Wagner Obituary (1935 – 2025). Thinking it may be one of those fake news, I googled his name; and there it was in black and white – Our dear larger than life, humorous and humble Professor is no more. I immediately commented on the Nicolas Facebook post: “May his soul rest in eternal peace,” forwarded the post to my wife and told my assistants. I continued with the next patients while fighting the tears in my eyes. I had to change the face masks twice because by then my nose started running and I got choked up. I had sent him (Rev. Wagner) a Happy New year e-card on 31 December 2024 but He did not respond and I thought perhaps He was on vacation. Over the past days I have been reminiscing and remembering the love and the joy Rev. Wagner had brought into our lives. He was such a humble, down to earth and generous person.
I met Rev. Wagner in August 1988 at Muhlenberg College in Allentown Pennsylvania (where I & Titus were years later joined by Jeffrey & Frances Metros) where he was the Professor, The Chaplin and the coordinator for the International Students. He was one of the kind- self-propelled, energetic, and eager to learn about our culture and teach us as well. He ended up convincing us to take his Bible courses he was teaching even though we were more focused on Pre-Med program. He taught us a lot from his classes – not only about our Lutheran faith but about other religions such as the Catholics, the Islam, the Jewish, the Budha, Etc. And he would take us to those institutions to see for ourselves. I remember he once took us to the inner city Baptist Church somewhere in Philadelphia. He took us to the Methodist Church, The Presbyterian Church, and The Jewish Synagogue and even to the Muslim Mosque
Rev. Wagner had convinced us to join the International Students organisation of which I became a Secretary. Through this organisation we forged friendships with different international students some of which are still standing today, thanks to Facebook (I would not have heard of his passing). His wife, Debbie as he fondly called her, would sometimes prepare delicious dinner at their house and invite us to eat. He would convince some of the parents of the fellow International students who were living in USA to prepare lunch or dinner for us. I remember he took us to a Chinese family home of one of our fellow students where we gorged ourselves to different Chinese dishes and to an Iranian home of o a friend of us where we had an Iranian fried rice dish the taste of which is still lingering in my mouth today. He made sure we visit the nearby cities where he drove us himself to such as New York, Philadelphia, to mention just a few. He also drove us to visit the Amish settlements in Pennsylvania.
He taught us about American culture; Thanks to Rev. Wagner We were known on Campus because he constantly told everybody about us. He would take us to the office of the President (RIP), the office of the Dean and the heads of departments. He would tell the nearby congregations about us and sometimes would ask us to go there and give talks about Namibia. And the people would send us boxes of clothes. He was such a news gatherer – anything happening on campus he knew about it and if it is involving you he would go like: “I heard that……” When we were with him either in his office or in the restaurant eating no topic was off the table. If he want to ask you a difficult question he would go like: “NOW.., HAPPY-JOEL…, IF…A BIG IF…SAY YOU TAKE A TYPICAL PENNSYVANIAN BLONDE… AND TAKE HER TO YOUR PARENTS…, WHAT WOULD THEY SAY?”
He would hook us up with the neighbouring families the likes of the Marcons and the Lykens. The Marcons were just another Rev. Wagner: Loving, self-driven and passionate about helping others. They would invite us to their Church, their family functions, their children weddings, their children hobbies e.g. Elizabeth horse riding. Mrs. Marcon sometimes would invite us to her mother [Peace be upon her]’s house where her mother would cook us some freshly cooked Turkey with some yummy exotic side dishes of Syrian extract.
Among my fellow Namibians I had to stay behind to do postgraduate studies, dentistry to be exact. The years I stayed in DC I kept in touch with Rev. Wagner. I would call him and vice-versa. He always made sure he send a Christmas letter that always end with “inshallah” an Arabic word for “God willing” or “Shalom” a Hebrew word for “peace”
After I graduated from Dental school I returned back to Namibia and started working and got married and started a family. Rev. Wagner and the Marcons would send us gift for our daughter Ruth and continued to send us the end-of-the year letters. The Marcons even took it upon themselves, a few years ago, to come all the way to Namibia to visit us.
I last spoke to Rev. Wagner just before the passing of his wife and he told me his wife was staying in the nursing home and he would visit her every day. There after I would send him funny political cartoons of President Trump. The last correspondence was a happy New Year e-card on 31 December 2024 but he did not respond and I did not worry too much about it because even some people in Namibia whom I send the same card are still responding as of this week. I feel a bit bad that I did not get a chance to visit him to see him one more time due in part having lost my own parents in quick succession in 2021 and I have been entangled in their estate inheritance distribution ever since. My sincere condolences to his family and friends and son, Nathan, and Maria, the daughter in law.
Rev. Wagner taught us more than subjects; the impact of a great teacher is felt long after the end of the lesson; in his passing, we mourn a mentor, a friend, and a source of wisdom. May his journey to the afterlife be filled with peace, and may his legacy live on in our hearts.
Farewell my dear Teacher and friend; May your spirit find eternal rest and tranquillity. Rest in Peace.
Inshallah! we will meet again
Shalom!
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Walter was a great person with a very warm personality. He was always kind and ready to help. His deep knowledge about the religion always amazed the people around him. It was an honor to know him.
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It is with a heavy heart that I write this entry in memory of Professor Walter Wagner. His kindness, wisdom, and sincerity were evident in everything he did, and his presence alone was enough to inspire those around him to be better, kinder, and more thoughtful.
Professor Wagner had a rare gift: the purity of his heart shone through in his smile, which always had the power to calm worries and ease anxieties. His warmth and compassion were felt deeply, and he taught us, without ever needing to say a word, the value of being a good person. His influence stretched far beyond the classroom—he had a profound impact on the community, and on me personally, as he inspired me to always strive for my best self.
I will miss his genuine smile, the peace he brought to every room, and the quiet way he made you feel valued. The world is a little less bright without him. May he rest in peace. He will always be remembered and cherished.
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I’m posting on behalf of the Respect Graduate School in Bethlehem which will host a gathering of RGS staff and board members to reflect on Walter’s contributions to the school. Will have up to 4 speakers, myself, president of the school Suleyman Eris, and up to two others. I gather the bulk of the time will be devoted to a Lutheran funeral service. To make it easy, give RGS 16 minutes under my name. we can allocate to up to 4 speakers.
Bruce W. Marold
Board member, Respect Graduate School, Bethlehem, PA
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I am deeply saddened by the loss of my dearest friend, Dr. Walter Wagner. He was truly one of the kindest people I have ever had the privilege of knowing. May he rest in peace.
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Walter Wagner was an important part of Crossroads for many years. He taught four courses and did several specials for us. The program participants loved him and were in awe of him. He helped make this program succeed.
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Walt was a teacher, a cohort in ministry, advisor to me in all things related to my service at Muhlenberg’s Egner Chapel, and ever a friend. He could always be depended upon to speak with honesty, being direct and pulling no punches, yet always with his trademark wit. I’ll think of him smiling, laughing and making me laugh. Thank you, Walt, for being a strong current among many on my journey through ministry and life. Nathan and family, my heart is with you.
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I count myself blessed to have experienced Walt Wagner’s brilliant teaching at Moravian Seminary when I took Confessions as part of the Lutheran candidacy program for lay ministry and when I attended the evening classes he offered in Christian-Muslim dialogue. I remember Walter and Debbie’s welcoming hospitality when I participated in “music nights” at their home. I remember Walter’s faithful visits to Debbie when she was at Phoebe Home. Walter will be well remembered for the special ways he touched so many lives as a pastor, teacher, author, husband, father, and friend. Sincere sympathy to Nathan and family.
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Well done Walter. You have been a good and faithful servant… and an amazing teacher for me and so many others. You have lived prophetically at a time that needed it as it does now.
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Dr. Wagner played an outsize role in my and my friends’ youth. He was a reliable source of good advice, school project resources, and insightful assessments of the situation. He didn’t suffer foolishness, but he was patient with the fools. He brought a kindness and a gentle wisdom to all his endeavors, and to others’ endeavors, too, when invited. He was consistently a force for good.
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Thank you, Walt for your listening ears when my church was in transition. Thank you for your hospitality when Debbie and I went to church together. Thank you for your years dedicated to Christian, Muslim dialogue and Hizmet. Thank Debbie for her years of direction and for the reciprocal years near her passing. All my time with you both was precious.
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What special memories of Walter Wagner, whether as our colleague at Muhlenberg College or in various roles in the years that followed. My late husband Dan and I always enjoyed Walter’s wit and erudition. He contained multitudes! So many benefited from his commitment to interfaith dialogue and social justice. I am particularly appreciative of Walter’s kind and wise words when he was Muhlenberg chaplain and was with my mother and Dan and me in her last weeks of life. Farewell, good soul. Kind and sincere condolences to Nathan, beloved son, and your family.
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Dr. Wagner was a very warm, likable, extremely intelligent gentleman. I glad I had the privilege. of knowing him when he was my Pastor in Allentown.
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Emily and I are deeply saddened by the. loss of Walter and the long association and friendship we had with him and Debbie.
We especially remember our week at Chautauqua with two other couples. We shared a lovely secluded place secluded on 100 acres with fields and wildlife. And a wonderful for post-Chautauqua event discussions.
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Pastor Wagner was a good pastor he will be missed RIP
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Pastor Wagner will always hold a special place in my heart. He was our pastor at a trying time in my teenage years, but was incredibly kind and supportive. He was also very supportive of our congregation and the youth of our congregation. Especially, he supported my friends and I when we wanted to re-establish a youth group within the congregation. He will sincerely be missed.