Synod will miss former university college president

Rev. Dr. Richard Kraemer and his wife Janet at his retirement celebration in 2007.

Following a battle with cancer, Rev. Dr. Richard Kraemer was called by the Lord to the Church Triumphant on Saturday, November 6. Dr. Kraemer served Concordia University College of Alberta for more than 30 years, seventeen as president. He retired in June, 2007.

“Our hearts are sore at the loss of this teacher, pastor, brother and friend,” said LCC president, Rev. Dr. Robert Bugbee. “He was devoted to Concordia, devoted to his students and colleagues, and devoted to the body of Christ. Our synodical family will miss him deeply, but we thank God for keeping him close to our Lord Jesus to the end.”

During his tenure as president, the institution  undertook five building projects, added numerous academic programs, changed names from Concordia College to Concordia University College of Alberta, and became the first university college in Alberta to offer a masters-level program.

Dr. Kraemer began his service at Concordia as an associate professor of Religious Studies and Spiritual Life Coordinator in 1977. In these roles, he influenced thousands of students with his broad knowledge of his subject areas, lively Christian faith and pastoral heart.

He became acting president of Concordia College in 1990 and was elected to the presidency in 1991. As leader of the institution he became well-known and respected in Canadian academic circles and in the Edmonton community. Dr. Kraemer also served the church-at-large as a member of various Lutheran Church–Canada commissions and boards. 

Upon his retirement in 2007 the university college honoured Dr. Kraemer with its Christo et Ecclesia award in recognition of his service to Christ and His Church. “Because of his academic, pastoral, churchly and civic leadership, and his consistent delight in the joy of the Gospel of Jesus Christ,” Concordia Lutheran Seminary, Edmonton conferred upon him the degree of Doctor of Divinity, honoris causa in 2009. 

 The funeral service for Dr. Kraemer will be Friday, November 12, 2010 at Bethel Lutheran Church in Sherwood Park, Alberta, at 11 a.m MT (1 p.m. ET). The Kraemer family has graciously consented to allow a webcast of the service at http://www.lutheranchurchcanada.ca/video.

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