Former LCMS School Ministry Director Carl Moser Dies at 86

Dr. Carl J. Moser, former director of School Ministry for The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS), died on May 31 in St. Charles, Mo. He was 86.

Moser was born to Jacob and Bertha Moser on Nov. 8, 1937, in Milwaukie, Ore. He was baptized and confirmed in the Christian faith at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Portland, Ore. He attended Milwaukie High School, transferring to Concordia College in Portland for his senior year, and later received his Associate of Arts from Concordia in 1975.

While at Concordia, Moser served as student body president and met his future wife, Elizabeth “Betty” Harrison. The couple married on Aug. 10, 1958, at St. John Lutheran Church in Salem, Ore. Moser later earned a Bachelor of Arts from Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Wash., in 1963, a Master of Arts from Concordia Teachers College in River Forest, Ill., in 1966, and a Doctor of Education from the University of Florida in Gainesville in 1975.

Moser taught at several LCMS day schools, including Trinity Lutheran School in Tinley Park, Ill., Hope Lutheran School in Seattle, Zion Lutheran School in Chicago, and Trinity Lutheran School in Orlando. He also served as principal in Chicago and Orlando. In 1976 he accepted a call to serve as professor at Concordia, River Forest, now Concordia University Chicago. His decades in Lutheran education reflect a life of faithful service in his vocation (Colossians 3:23). He became associate director of LCMS School Ministry in 1983 and director in 1989.

Moser retired in 2000. He then served five years part-time as director of National Lutheran School Accreditation (NLSA).

Beyond his church work, Moser was president of the Council for American Private Education, a member of the National Assessment Governing Board, and an advisor to the U.S. Department of Education. He received the Christus Magister Award from the Lutheran Education Association, the Alumnus of Distinction Award from Concordia, Portland, and the Christus Primus Award from Concordia College Ann Arbor. He was also an active speaker and writer, with articles published in Lutheran Education magazine and The Lutheran Witness, among others.

In retirement, Moser served at Immanuel Lutheran Church in St. Charles, Mo., as a choir member, Stephen Ministry leader and Bible class leader. He and Betty had three children, nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Dr. Alan Freeman, current director of LCMS School Ministry, said Moser’s “enduring legacy in School Ministry, including his work with SLED (School Leadership Development Project), LSCS (Lutheran School Consulting Services), NLSA and much more has profoundly impacted Lutheran education. His contributions, guided by his unwavering faith, will be cherished and remembered.”

Memorials may be made to Immanuel Lutheran Church, 115 S. 6th St., St Charles, MO 63301.

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