Rev. Robert Suder and Family at the Lutheran Parsonage in Port Royal.
Contributed by rkohler3 on 12/16/10 - Image Year: 1978
The Reverend Dr. Robert W. Suder was born August 30, 1943, in Berlin, Penna. He completed a Bachelor of Science degree (1965) at Allegheny College, Meadville, PA., and a Master of Divinity degree, (1969) at Gettysburg Lutheran Theological Seminary. During his studies at Gettysburg, Pastor Suder served the Petersburg-Water Street Lutheran parish (1967-68) and was involved in Youth Ministry at St. James Lutheran Church in Huntingdon.
Pursuing interests in Old Testament studies, he completed the M.A. (1971) and Ph.D. (1973) degrees in Hebrew and Semitic Studies at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. From 1973 until 1977 he was employed as Hebrew and Arabic bibliographer in the University of Wisconsin Library System. At the same time, he served various Lutheran churches in southern Wisconsin as interim pastor and youth advisor.
While a member of Midvale Lutheran Church in Madison, Pastor Suder helped plan and organize a Lay School of Theology and an Adult Forum. These projects were designed to provide interdenominational seminars and mini-courses on topics of theological, ethical, and Biblical interest to members of several churches in Madison and southern Wisconsin. Pastor Suder also participated in these projects as teacher of Old and New Testament, Biblical Archaeology, and Near Eastern Life and Culture.
He is married to the former Judith Ann Meyers. Mrs. Suder is a registered nurse and is active in community health service and ministry to nursing homes.
The Suders have three children, Mark, age 10, Melissa, age 7, and Jessica, 6 months.
Pastor Suder was called to serve the Port Royal Lutheran Parish in May, 1977 and was installed July 3, 1977 and remained at the Port Royal charge until 1985. After leaving Port Royal the family moved to Berea, KY where Robert began his teaching career in the Philosophy and Religion Department at Berea College.
