Lorenz O. Nieting, Gettysburg Seminary Professor Emeritus of New Testament and Greek Dies

The Rev. Dr. Lorenz O. Nieting, Professor Emeritus of New Testament and Greek, died earlier today, Monday January 11th. The Rev. Dr. Lorenz O. Nieting taught New Testament - related curriculum and Greek from 1966 to 1990.

Rev. Nieting was born Sept. 24, 1923 in Davenport, Iowa, the son of the late Otto and Paula Schliepsiek Nieting. He is survived by his wife Salud Galapia Nieting.

The Rev. Nieting was a member of St. James Lutheran Church in Gettysburg. He graduated from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Mo., and continued his education at the University of Erlangen in Germany before being awarded a Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Chicago in 1964. Following his education, Dr. Nieting served in the Philippine Lutheran Mission in Luzon and later became Dean of the Philippine Theological Seminary in Manila. For a time, the Rev. Nieting was an Assistant Professor of Exegetical Theology-New Testament at Hamma Divinity School in Canton, Ohio. In 1967, he became a professor of the New Testament and Greek at The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg, a position he held until his retirement in 1990. Dr. Nieting was an avid reader who loved music and travel.
Upon learning the news of Nieting’s death, Seminary President Michael Cooper-White reflected the loss within the wider spheres of the seminary: “For over a quarter century, the Rev. Dr. Lorenz Nieting was a dedicated professor, mentor and friend to generations of Gettysburg seminarians. Sitting at his feet in the classroom, hundreds of his former students gained deeper appreciation for the Scriptures. This former overseas missionary had a passion for proclaiming the Gospel to all people that infused his teaching. He is remembered especially for the creative way in which he taught us Greek, in order that we could read the New Testament in its original language. Countless former seminarians, colleagues and friends have fond memories of the gracious hospitality extended to so many of us by Lorentz and his loving wife, Salud. I count it among the great blessings of my life to have known him and been among his students.”

A memorial service was held Saturday, Jan. 16, at 11 a.m. at St. James Lutheran Church in Gettysburg, with Rev. Michael Allwein officiating. Memorials can be made to St. James Lutheran Church, 109 York St., Gettysburg, PA 17325 or The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg, 61 Seminary Ridge, Gettysburg, PA 17325.

The Monahan Funeral Home in Gettysburg is in charge of the arrangements. Online obituary and condolences can be viewed at monahanfh.com.