Founding CLTS professor enters into glory

ONTARIO – On October 13, 2024, Rev. Dr. Roger J. Humann, founding professor of Concordia Lutheran Theological Seminary (CLTS) in St. Catharines, Ontario, entered into glory. He was 88 years old.

Dr. Humann was born on May 18, 1936, and was baptized on June 21, 1936. He studied at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri, where he received both a Master of Divinity degree and a Master of Sacred Theology degree. He was further awarded an honorary doctorate by Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Dr. Humann was ordained into the ministry on July 30, 1961. He served as a pastor at Faith Lutheran (Saskatoon, Saskatchewan); Trinity Lutheran (Haultain, Saskatchewan); campus pastor at the University of Saskatchewan; and as pastor of Resurrection Lutheran (St. Catharines, Ontario).

When The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod agreed to found a new seminary in Eastern Canada, the Canadian districts decided to establish Concordia Lutheran Theological Seminary in St. Catharines. Dr. Humann served as the seminary’s first full-time professor, and his church served as the seminary’s first home. Dr. Humann’s contacts in church and community led to an arrangement with Brock University that allowed a new seminary building to be erected on campus in 1983.

Dr. Humann would serve for thirty years with the seminary from its founding in 1976 until his retirement in 2006, teaching biblical interpretation, New Testament studies, preaching, and worship to more than 200 students. Affectionately known as Dean Humann, he served both as Dean of the Seminary in CLTS’ early years, and then as Dean of Students and Dean of Chapel throughout the rest of his service.

Both Dr. Humann and his wife Dianne filled the seminary with their love of music. They ensured the seminary chapel was designed with chamber music in mind, and inaugurated a series of concerts that lasted for many years. They procured the gift of a fine pipe organ, ran a choir school for children, and organised regular conferences with musical and liturgical themes. Dr. Humann also supervised installation of a stained-glass window and beautiful wood carvings behind the altar.

In addition to his service to the Canadian church, Dr. Humann also spent a year teaching and assisting in setting up a formal overseas theological studies programme at Westfield House in Cambridge, England. He was also instrumental in establishing the seminary training programme for pastors, deacons, and deaconesses of Lutheran Church–Canada’ s daughter church in Nicaragua, teaching there regularly over the years.

Dr. Humann will be deeply missed by his wife of 57 years, Dianne. He is survived by son Joel (Megan); daughter Deborah Braun (David); grandchildren Matthew (Alicia), Clara, Nicholas, Rachel, Jessica, and Veronica; sister Judy Harman (Doug); and niece and nephew Sarah and Gregory. He was preceded in death by his father Julius A. Humann and mother Irene (Ellithorpe) Humann.

A funeral service for Dr. Humann was held at Grace Lutheran (St. Catharines) on October 23. In lieu of flowers, the family has encouraged donations to Concordia Lutheran Theological Seminary.

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