H. Richard Klann, sem prof, dies

Dr. H. Richard Klann, a professor emeritus from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, died Dec. 3 in the health-care unit at Waterman Village, the retirement community in Mt. Dora, Fla., where he and his wife resided.

Klann, 90, died from cardiac arrest following five years of declining health.

A funeral service was held Dec. 10 at Faith Lutheran Church, Eustis, Fla., where he was a member.  His body was cremated and the ashes placed in the memorial garden at the church.

Klann was a professor of Systematic Theology at the seminary from 1963 until his retirement in 1985.  He was one of five faculty members who remained there after 45 other faculty members participated in the “walkout” of 1974.  In 1975, he became the first editor of the Concordia Journal, the seminary faculty’s theological journal.

He received the bachelor of divinity degree from the seminary in 1938; the master of arts degree from Washington University, St. Louis, in 1939; the doctor of philosophy degree from Columbia University, New York, N.Y., in 1951; and an honorary doctor of divinity degree from Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, in 1986.

Before joining the seminary faculty, Klann was pastor of a Lutheran congregation in Tennessee (1941-43), served as a military chaplain during World War II, and was head of Lutheran Student Ministries in Long Island and parts of Manhattan.

Surviving are his wife, Martha, of Mt. Dora; and a daughter, Andrea Klann, of New York City.

The family suggests that memorial gifts be designated for the building fund and sent to Faith Lutheran Church, 2727 S. Grove St., Eustis, FL 32726.

Posted Dec. 29, 2005

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