Ralph Wetzel:  

REMEMBER ME I want to be remembered as a faithful pastor and long-time Veterans Affairs chaplain who loved both God and Country to the max at the close of life. It is my wish that my old friends and classmates remember me as a dedicated servant of the Lord, fun-loving in life, but somewhat of a rogue by nature. MY PROFILE My profile is a rich and varied one. I was born in Chattanooga, TN on August 23, 1938, at Erlanger Hospital. Most of my early years, including my teen years and early college, were in Chattanooga. I attended the Lutheran School(1944-1952), Chattanooga Central High School (1952-1956), and the University of (Tennessee) Chattanooga (1956-1958). While at UC, I became president of Der Deutsche=Kreis (German Circle). Hey, former members, please contact me if you read this!!! Especially, if you are Stefan Anacker. To finish my college work, I attended Concordia Senior College, Ft. Wayne, Indiana, where I matriculated with a B.A. Degree with a double concentration in psychology and sociology (1958-1960). Afterward, I attended Concordia Theological Seminary, Springfield, Illinois (1960-1964), graduating in 1964 with an M.Div. degree. In graduate education, I attended Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Missouri, from 1974-1977, receiving my S.T.M. Degree. My doctorate degree, D.Min., was earned in Ft. Wayne, Indiana,in 1985 from Concordia Theological Seminary. For over 38 years, I have served as a pastor in the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, serving parishes from Oklahoma, Georgia, and Indiana since 1964. Presently, for the last 6 years, my ministry has been at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Northern Indiana Health Care System, in Ft. Wayne, Indiana, serving as chaplain. I have spent the last 25 years here in NE Indiana, at Woodburn, IN. It would be great to hear from other voices from the past! Hey, gang, email me! God bless! SCHOOLING I started my school life with Kindergarten at Mrs. Millie Jahn's home in 1943. I went to First Lutheran Elementary School from 1944-1952,at both locations on Bennett Avenue and on Belvoir Avenue, the latter known as the "new school," graduating in 1952. From there, I attended Chattanooga Central High School at the original building on Dodds Avenue. Then, it was on to the University of Chattanooga (now UTC) from 1956-1958. transferring to Concordia Senior College, Ft. Wayne, IN from 1958-1960, where I received my BA Degree. From there, my first Divine Call was to Zion Lutheran Church, Buffalo, Oklahoma. Then, it was on to Trinity Church, Woodward, OK, from 1966-1970. After 6 years, I was called to a mission congregation, Holy Trinity Church in Rome, GA, from 1970-1974, and Christ Church, Woodburn, IN from 1974-1988. After this, I became a visiting pastor to supply vacant congregations in the Indiana District of the Lutheran Church- Missouri Synod. I taught religion in parochial school for 15 years, and then became a Chaplain at the VA Medical Center, Ft. Wayne, IN from 1997 to current time (as of May, 2003). "Hello, Central, Give me a ring." Best regards, Ralph <(};R COLLEGE & SEMINARY I began my college education at University of Chattanooga (TN) in 1956 to 1958. You guys in the German Circle (Deutsche=Kreis) write or email please. Loved every minute at Concordia Senior College, Ft. Wayne, Indiana (1958-1960), where I made a best friend by rooming with Don Darrell Haug, with whom I have kept in touch occasionally by email since our graduation in June 1960!!!! WOW!!! Attending this college was one of the best highlights of my life. Also, I met my wife-to-be while a student in Ft. Wayne. She is the former Miss Susan Lauterberg of Ft. Lauderdale, FL !!!!!! My BA Degree from this college was in Liberal Arts and Sciences, with a double concentration in psychology and sociology. From here I went to seminary at Concordia in Springfield, IL (1960-1964), where I graduated with a Master of Divinity Degree. (Please see other biographies for a continuation of my college bio...) RW UPDATE! UPDATE! UPDATE! 2003-2006 I enrolled in Lutheran Hospital of Indiana's Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) extended program in 2003. To date, I have completed 2 1/2 units of CPE, and I plan on continuing on, God-willing, until I finish 4 units in 2007. Knowing the clinical model of pastoral care is vital in hospital work with patients and staff. To this end, I plan to serve the sick as a Clinical Member of the hospital team at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center-VA Northern Indiana Health Care System in Fort Wayne, IN. WORKPLACES AFTER GRADUATION I graduated from Concordia Theological Seminary in Springfield, IL in spring of 1964. My vicarage internship had been in Trenton, MI from 1962-1963. My first church was in Buffalo, OK from 1964-1966. My second parish was in Woodward, OK from 1966-1970. My third congregation was in Rome, GA, 1970-1974 and my last congregation was in Woodburn, IN, where I spent the last 15 years in the parish ministry from 1974-1988. From 1988 on I served the IN District, Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, as supply pastor until 1997 when I came to the Veterans Affairs Northern Indiana Health Care system as Chaplain in Ft. Wayne, IN. to present-(2003). Education wise, I earned an Master of Sacred Theology Degree from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, MO, in 1977, and a Doctor of Ministry Degree from Concordia Theological Seminary, Ft. Wayne, IN, in 1985. I continue to serve the V.A. as chaplain to present, enjoying my work among our veterans in the Service of our Country, as patients in our Medical Center in Ft. Wayne, IN. God bless! RW UPDATE! ...Expand for more