Fall 2016
Dear Classmate,
As members of the class of 1977, we have already experienced many of life’s major transitions–first day of school, high school, college, marriage, finding a job, buying a home, and so on. My wife Marcia (Hoff) ’78 and I have recently had the good fortune of being able to make an early start on a transition that will be common to most of us in the coming years–retirement. Yippee! Although leaving the always-on, deadline-driven corporate world has been a little disorientating, Marcia and I have happily filled the void with traveling, visiting friends and family, gardening, volunteering (mostly by Marcia at this point), and doing projects around the house that have been deferred for years. I can see for us that this particular transition is going to continue to evolve as new and exciting opportunities come to light. For example, when I was asked to become the next agent for our class, I was thrilled to have a chance to do something that I might have otherwise declined during my working years. So, here we are–you have a new class agent, and I have an opportunity to do something for our class and alma mater.
If you haven’t already heard, next year will be our 40-year class reunion. This is a big one folks, so reserve the date on your calendars now! The date, of course, is Homecoming weekend, October 6-8, 2017. Mark and Lois (Dunleavy) Finanger have generously offered their time and service to be co-chairs of the reunion planning committee. The 40th will be a great time to reconnect with friends and share stories, both old and new. Please note that the Decorah-area hotels fill up quickly every Homecoming. A list of accommodations can be found at www.luther.edu/decorah/lodging. The Alumni and Development Office strongly suggests that you make inquiries early.
To facilitate communication with fellow classmates and friends from other classes, I encourage you to visit the Luther Online Alumni Directory at www.luther.edu/alumni/directory. The Luther Technology Help Desk (563-387-1000) can provide you a username if you don’t already have one. Please update your contact information at www.luther.edu/alumni/update.
Lastly, please consider helping the next generation of students just as we were helped when we were students. Your contribution to Luther’s Annual Fund, no matter the size, makes a difference. Charitable foundations and corporations that support Luther, such as the Kresge Foundation, consider your annual gift a vote of confidence in Luther. Your gift encourages their gifts. Thank you if you have already made or pledged a gift in 2016.
Steve Pitzenberger
1977 Class Agent
[email protected]
Your gift. Every year. Put to work, right away, where it is needed most.
Each year more than 10,000 alumni, parents, and friends support the Annual Fund with gifts from $5 to $100,000. Strong support from alumni helps Luther secure additional funds from foundations and corporations, and your gift each year helps us to reach our goal of 27% alumni giving. Here’s how your class is doing so far this year:
CLASS OF 1977 TOTAL GIVING: $14,412.00 FROM 15.05% OF THE CLASS*
Have you made your 2016 gift to Luther? Only 44 more gifts are needed to reach 27% for your class. Please visit givenow.luther.edu to make your gift today. Thank you!
Please note: Your Spring 2017 class agent letter will include a listing of your classmates who gave to Luther during 2016. Be sure to make your gift before December 31 to be included.
*as of October 19, 2016
Class Notes
Melinda (Morris) and Luther Berkeland ’76 of Lake City, Minn., are retired.
Jim Fowler is senior pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Vermillion, S.D., and is secretary of the board of directors for Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago.
John Kalkwarf is professor of advanced English for the Global Medical English Program at Sungshin Women’s University in Seoul, South Korea, and the chief academic officer for Global Academic Learning Environments in Seoul.
Jeff Kelly of Bloomington, Minn., was inducted into the Austin High School Music Hall of Fame. He is a member of the American Choral Directors Association, Minnesota Education Association, and the National Education Association and director of Honor Choir for the Southeast Minnesota Conference.
Douglas Lohafer is a health physicist at New World Environmental, Inc., in Livermore, Calif.
Obituary
Robert “Rob” Nebergall of Tulsa, Okla., died May 9, 2015, at age 60. Born in Des Moines, he majored in biology at Luther and received a doctor of osteopathic medicine degree from Des Moines University in 1981. Rob practiced orthopedic surgery, with a specialty in sports medicine, for more than 25 years in Tulsa. He was a skilled surgeon and devoted father, who cared deeply about his family, friends, and patients. Always young at heart, Rob loved to make new friends, tell stories, relax, and spend time boating at Grand Lake. He is survived by his sons, Nate and Bart; daughter, Lily; mother, Shirley; and father, Donald. Rob was preceded in death by his sister, Nancy. Memorials may be made to Luther College.
