Where Else?

Jack was born in 1926 and baptized at Central Lutheran Church in Everett, Washington. After graduating from high school in 1944, Jack immediately joined the army and witnessed the end of World War II in Europe.

He came home in 1946 and turned his attention to higher education. After a year of community college, he enrolled at the University of Washington, because, as he put it, “Where else would you go?”

“The U” was the only choice for him. As a returning veteran, he was a little older than the average sophomore and didn’t know anyone in Seattle. He’d heard about “Luther Club,” as Lutheran Campus Ministry was known then, and its host congregation, University Lutheran Church, from his older sister. He hoped to find friends, food, and a warm welcome there.

“I had nothing in common with the other guys living in my boarding house. Luther Club became my hub,” Jack recalls. “Pastor Steinhoff was a real neat person, I really felt at home with him.” Many of the other young men who attended were also recent veterans and Luther Club gave them a space to have a normal college experience after the trauma of war. They would gather for Bible study and book discussions, attend basketball and football games together, even spend hours together singing hymns and camp songs! They knew they could always count on a good meal and good company at Luther Club.

“Luther Club was my social outlet. All I did at The U was attend class and study, but my whole social life was Luther Club,” Jack recalled. He continued with a twinkle in his eye, “And it wasn’t to meet women!” Ironically, Jack met his wife Betty through Luther Club. They were married for 63 years until her death in 2015.

At 98 years old, Jack still attends worship every Sunday at University Lutheran Church. He regularly gives generously to Lutheran Campus Ministry. He sees students today enjoying the same benefits and friendships that he experienced all those years ago. He has made plans to leave a portion of his estate to campus ministry as well. “It’s something you need to support! It really is,” he says. “It was the hub for me,” as it continues to be for so many students today.
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Because of Jack and your generosity, Lutheran Campus Ministry at the University of Washington will continue to be a community hub for the next generation of students and many more to come.