SA国际传媒 Newsroom
Friedrich family: Supporting the Seminary from one generation to the next
Dr. Brian Friedrich looks at the wall above his office desk to a portrait of his grandfather, Rev. Walter Friedrich.
The oldest son of William and Christine Friedrich, Walter grew up in Alta, Iowa. At that time, the Friedrich family had a tradition: The oldest son belonged to the Lord. He would become a pastor and serve the Lord and His church. So, Walter attended Concordia High School and College in Saint Paul, Minn. (now Concordia University, Saint Paul), and continued on to SA国际传媒, St. Louis, graduating in 1923. He spent his entire ministry from 1923-77 in The Lutheran Church鈥擬issouri Synod (LCMS) Iowa District West.
The Friedrich family at Walter and Alma鈥檚 50th wedding anniversary. First row, from left, Alma and Walter; second row, Caroline, Henry, William and Christine; and third row, Martin and Robert. Photos: Courtesy Friedrich family
Walter and his wife, Alma, had six children. All four of their sons graduated from SA国际传媒: Rev. Martin Friedrich (鈥�49), Rev. Henry Friedrich (鈥�53), Rev. William Friedrich (鈥�55) and Rev. Robert Friedrich (鈥�62). Two of their grandsons also entered the ministry, graduating from SA国际传媒: Dr. Brian Friedrich (鈥�86) and Rev. Mark Friedrich (鈥�86). Two grandsons-in-law also serve in the ministry, graduating from Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Ind.: Rev. Henry Witte (鈥�79) and Rev. David Baumgarn (鈥�96).
鈥淢y parents saw to it that we were all baptized and instructed in the Word,鈥� says Rev. Henry Friedrich, Dr. Brian Friedrich鈥檚 father, as he ponders his parents鈥� lives. 鈥淭heir attitude was always to keep us in the faith and to encourage and inspire us [their sons] to consider going to the Seminary as well. We became pastors because of the interest and encouragement our parents gave to us.鈥� At that time, finances often were not great for those in the ministry, and yet, 鈥渨henever my brothers and I came home,鈥� Henry remarks appreciatively, 鈥渨e never left empty-handed.鈥�
Henry proudly reflects on his father鈥檚 ministry. 鈥淗e was a one-on-one kind of person, making a lot of calls and visits,鈥� Henry says. And Walter wasn鈥檛 doing this ministry alone. 鈥淢y siblings and I wanted to not only honor Dad, but also the one who was there next to him, helping him all along,鈥� he says. 鈥淢y grandma was the quintessential pastor鈥檚 wife,鈥� Brian adds with a smile. Alma was beside her husband throughout his ministry, supporting and helping him in everything.
Walter and Alma鈥檚 influence reached beyond their own children and grandchildren. 鈥淢y dad was pastor of the family in a way,鈥� observes Henry. 鈥淚t was at a family reunion when my siblings and I brought up establishing an endowment, and many of our extended family members really liked that idea. My parents were really respected by the family.鈥� In 2014, 鈥淭he Walter H. and Alma Thraum Friedrich Family Endowment鈥� was established by Rev. Henry Friedrich and his siblings 鈥渁s testimony to Walter Friedrich鈥檚 ministry and to honor the memory of Walter and Alma Friedrich.鈥� This kind of fund is created for the purpose of generating perpetual earnings and ongoing, increasing worth 鈥� a way of giving that furthers the mission of SA国际传媒.
鈥淕od is faithful,鈥� says Henry. 鈥淲ithout Him, we have nothing. We thank Him for His power and His provision.鈥� This thankfulness and praise to God is seen even within the endowment itself, which states that the student financial aid endowment 鈥渋s established as a testimony to the greatness of the Triune God, who has bestowed rich and gracious blessings, both temporal and eternal, upon His beloved children. To Him be all glory, honor and praise.鈥�
The Great Commission, the mission of the Seminary and the Friedrich family鈥檚 endowment is a part of all of that. Giving to the Seminary is one way of pressing forward, preparing the current and next generations of servants, Brian asserts. 鈥淚 think about how the Great Commission is seeded into the mission of the Seminary, and the thrust of the Great Commission is the forward movement,鈥� Brian says. 鈥淲e ought to be forward-going people within Jesus鈥� mission. That鈥檚 what He called His first disciples to do 2,000 years ago. That鈥檚 what He continues to call us to do until we鈥檙e home with Him in heaven. Anything on this side of eternity that we can do, we want to be helping to move that mission forward.鈥�
Brian glances again to his grandfather鈥檚 portrait. 鈥淚 look at him every day,鈥� he says.
Walter and Alma left a legacy of generosity to the church. Their children, in honoring that legacy, have left their own legacy. 鈥淭he endowment is a way to give witness to Walter and Alma鈥檚 lives of service,鈥� Brian says, 鈥渁nd to encourage and support the next generations of those who also are giving their lives into service of Christ鈥檚 church. It is our prayer that many others would be moved to join in that forward mission.鈥�