The Rev. Dr. Samuel I. Goltermann died of natural causes at his home early Saturday morning on April 24, 2004. In state at historic Trinity Lutheran Church, 1805 Soulard, on Tuesday, April 27, from 2 to 5 p.m. and on Wednesday from 9 to 11 a.m. with a funeral service following at 11 a.m. in the sanctuary. “Sam” Goltermann, as he is widely known, earned the respect of collegues and community leaders, as a progressive official in higher education in The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS), as a leader on numerous church-related boards, and as the pastor of an historic but struggling city parish destined  to become a thriving “cathedral ministry.” As a moderate voice with deeply pastoral concerns in a conservative church body, Dr. Goltermann helped guide individuals, local Lutheran agencies and his own parish through the Lutheran Synod’s turmoil of the 70s and 80s. As Dean of Students and later as President of Concordia College, Austin, TX, from 1956-1963), as well as through his years as the Assistant Executive Secretary of the Board for Higher Education of the Missouri Synod, he oversaw a large number of Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod colleges throughout the country and became a friend and mentor to many of today’s Lutheran pastors, teachers and administrators. Called in 1975 to the Synod’s “mother church,” historic Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Soulard (founded 1839), Goltermann led the then-struggling urban congregation to maintain a vital presence as a downtown “cathedral ministry” that welcomed a diverse membership, inspite of recommendations to consider closing the facility. Today, under current senior pastor, the Rev. David Marth, Trinity’s over 500 members include young families, young urban singles, empty-nesters and others from throughout the St. Louis area. During Goltermann’s tenure as a board member of the former Lutheran Medical Center, he participated in the decision to sell the hospital to National Medical Enterprises for almost $40 million. While a contested decision at the time, the outcome of the decision was the formation of the Lutheran Foundation of St. Louis, which has since funded millions of dollars in health-related programming, largely within the St. Louis community.  Dr Goltermann was outspoken in his denunciation of religious prejudice against fellow Christians based on sexual preference and was an early albeit quiet leader for inclusiveness in the Church. Since his retirement, Dr. Goltermann continued to preach and served as chaplain at the Charless Home for the Aged.

Samuel I. Goltermann was born on May 6, 1925, in Hammond, IN, the oldest child of Rev. Paul and Clara Goltermann. He was baptized and confirmed by his father and there received his Lutheran elementary education. After two years of secondary education, he transferred to Concordia High School, Fort Wayne, IN, graduating in 1942. Continuing at Concordia Junior College, he graduated in 1944 and immediately matriculated at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. Rev. Goltermann interned in Des Moines, IA, and graduated from the seminary in 1948. After a year of postgraduate studies, he was ordained and installed at two Lutheran congregations: St. John’s, Lexington, and Immanuel, Ottenheim, KY. He also served the Lutheran students at the University of Kentucky. In 1956 Rev. Goltermann joined the faculty of Concordia College, Austin, TX, as an instructor in social studies and dean of men. In 1960 he was elected President of the college. In 1963 Rev. Goltermann came to St. Louis as Assistant Executive Secretary of the Board for Higher Education of The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod, serving in that capacity until 1975, when he was called to be pastor of historic Trinity. He received his honorary Doctor of Divinity from Concordia Theological Seminary, then at Springfield, IL, in 1965. Dr. Goltermann’s graduate work include studies at Washington University, the University of Kentucky, and the University of Texas. He retired in 1993 and was named Pastor Emeritus of Trinity. He held memberships on the boards of the Good Samaritan Service Center for the Homeless and of Lutheran in Medical Missions. Among the other boards on which he has served were the former Council of Lutheran Churches, Lutheran High School Association, the former Lutheran Medical Center, Sts. Peter and Paul Shelter, Near Southside Employment Coalition, Working Capital of St. Louis, and the Task Force on Chemical Dependence of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod Board of Human Care Ministries. Dr. Goltermann is survived by his sister, Dorothy L. Ebert, who resides in Oviedo, FL, a former Lutheran elementary school teacher and principal.