Walter Luther Pelz, 99, died April 10. He was born December 30, 1926, in Chicago, Illinois. From a young age, he showed an interest in playing the piano. He attended Jehovah Lutheran School (LCMS) where he received instruction, opportunities, encouragement, and support from different leaders that fueled his interest in church music. He graduated from Kelvyn Park High School, Chicago, attended Concordia Teachers College (now Concordia University Chicago, CUC), River Forest, Illinois, and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Education degree in 1948. While there, he continued his musical pursuits through piano and organ lessons, singing in the college choir, serving as an accompanist on the organ and piano, and taking additional organ lessons at the American Conservatory of Music in Chicago. After graduation, he accepted his first call to Immanuel Lutheran Church (LCMS), Seymour, Indiana, where he taught fifth grade, directed the children’s choir and adult choir, and did most of the organ playing. He enrolled at Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, where he received the Master of Music degree in organ and church music in 1951.
On June 10, 1950, Pelz married Dolores Anita Streger at Jehovah Lutheran Church, Chicago. Their first daughter, Susan, was born during their time in Seymour, Indiana. The family’s next move was to St. Joseph, Michigan, where he served as a teacher and choir director for nine years at Trinity Lutheran Church and School (LCMS). The congregation had over 3,700 members, and Pelz saw the potential to expand the music ministry there beyond the adult choir to include two girls choirs, a boys choir, and a high school choir. He directed all of these groups in addition to playing 243 services a year as well as weddings and funerals. During their time in St. Joseph, the Pelzes welcomed two more daughters, Nancy and Cheryl. Walter then accepted a call to Christ Church Lutheran (formerly LCMS) in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to be minister of music and education. He enrolled at the University of Minnesota, earning his Ph.D. degree in theory and composition in 1970.
The Pelzes made their final move to Lindsborg, Kansas, in 1969 where Walter served as Bethany College professor of music and college organist, retiring in 1989. He also served area congregations as church organist and was a longtime member of Bethany Lutheran Church where he began conducting “Bach at Bethany” concerts. Pelz had a Martin Ott pipe organ installed in the basement of his home where he practiced and composed for forty years. In 2023 he donated the organ to CUC.
Pelz composed music for many special occasions including his daughters’ and grandchildren’s weddings. Throughout his life, he garnered many awards and honors for his musical work. In 2001 he was presented an honorary Doctor of Letters degree from CUC. He was presented the Faithful Servant Award bestowed on him by the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians.
Walter Luther Pelz is survived by his wife of 75 years, Dolores; his three daughters Sue (Ron) Revelle, Nancy Bateman, and Cheryl (Gary) Graves; eleven grandchildren, 39 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandson. A memorial service was held April 23 at Bethany Lutheran Church, Lindsborg, Kansas, with internment following at Elmwood Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Bethany Lutheran Church organ maintenance fund; Concordia University Chicago to be designated for pipe organ maintenance or the Center for Church Music; or Bethany College sent in care of Crick-Christians Funeral Home, 103 North Washington Street, Lindsborg, Kansas 67456.
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