The Right Reverend Albert Paul “A.P.” Nassen, age 95, of Dallas, Texas, passed away on Feb. 2, 2018. Born on March 8, 1922, in Allison, Iowa, he was graduated magna cum laude from Luther College, Decorah, Iowa, with a B.A. in classics in 1943 and from Luther Theological Seminary in St. Paul, Minn., with honors in 1945. He received an honorary doctor of divinity degree from his alma mater in 1973.
Over the course of 50 years, Dr. Nassen served the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and its predecessor organizations as both a parish pastor and church leader. Ordained in 1945, he served congregations in Nashwauk and Battle Lake, Minn., and Stoughton and Beloit, Wis., before being called as executive to the president of the Southern Wisconsin District, American Lutheran Church, located in Janesville, Wis. Upon election to head the District (Synod), he presided over the work of 250 congregations and their 193,000 members as one of the Churches 18 bishops.
From the completion of his term in 1976 until his retirement in 1991, he served Christ Lutheran Church in Dallas, and ministered to students and staff at Southern Methodist University. A redesign and expansion of the church’s sanctuary and installation of a steeple were accomplished during his tenure. In service to the church-at-large, Dr. Nassen was active in social action concerns as chairman of the Southern Wisconsin District’s Research and Social Action Committee and as president of the Wisconsin Protestant Legislative Council with responsibility for ensuring that the 1,800 member congregations of eight denominations were involved with the legislative matters affecting their interests. He also participated in ecumenical marches and worked to advance the cause of civil and human rights through such organizations as the Greater Milwaukee Conference on Religion and Urban Affairs and Lutheran Social Services.
Among his many interests in retirement, Albert pursued photography and found great enjoyment in boating and fishing on Lake Ray Hubbard, in the Gulf of Mexico, and in British Columbia. Since 2012 he resided in the Edgemere retirement community in Dallas.
Dr. Nassen is survived by his beloved wife of 72 years, Borghild (Teigland) Nassen ‘43; daughter and son-in-law, Paula Nassen ‘69 and Peter G. Poulos; and son and daughter-in-law, John W. Nassen ’73 and Corinne W. Nassen. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Andrea M. Nassen ’70 ; parents, Walter C. Nassen ’45 and Ida Schueler Nassen; sister Frieda L. Folkers; and twin brother Herbert H. Nassen.
A funeral service, followed by interment, was held Feb. 6, 2018, in the chapel at Sparkman/Hillcrest Memorial Park, 7405 W. Northwest Highway, by the Rev. Heidi Schwerdtfeger-Jones, pastor of Christ Lutheran Church. Memorial donations may be made in A.P. Nassen's memory to the Theological Education Fund of the North American Lutheran Church, 2299 Palmer Drive, Suite 220, New Brighton, MN 55112-2202, attn.: Financial Administration Office.