Dr. Walter Charles Dissen, Esq.

Walter Charles Dissen was born on November 20, 1931, to the Rev. Victor and Lydia (Baese) Dissen in Garrison, North Dakota. He was claimed as God’s own child in baptism and then confirmed in the faith on June 23, 1946, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Beach, North Dakota. Walter’s confirmation verse was John 14:2–3: “In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.” Our Lord came for Walter and delivered him from this vale of tears into the Church Triumphant on August 2, 2023.

Walter was preceded in death by his parents, two stillborn sisters, and two brothers, William and James. He is survived by his siblings Rev. David (Judy) Dissen, Eunice Dissen, Martin (Patricia) von Dissen, and Fred (Margo) Dissen; William’s widow, Marilyn Dissen; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

On the same day Walter graduated as valedictorian of New Rockford High School in 1949, he and his brother William left on a train for Minneapolis to enroll in telegraphy classes. The rest of the family moved two days later to Burley, Idaho, where his father became a missionary to the Mormons. Shortly after completing telegraphy training, Walter became employed by a railroad in Pennsylvania as agent and manager of the local station. He remained in this position until he was drafted into the United States Army during the Korean War. Walter served as a member of the military police stationed at Killeen Base near West Fort Hood, Texas, where he worked for top brass on classified matters at that atomic weapons storage facility. Following this tour of duty, Walter completed his Bachelor of Arts at Kent State University in 1958, then earned his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Akron Law School in 1962. Walter spent most of his career in the railroad business, serving nearly four decades as legal counsel for the Nickel Plate Road, the Norfolk and Western Railway, and finally, the Norfolk Southern Corporation.

Walter’s great-grandfather, Carl Johan Roemer, came to America with C. F. W. Walther and played a key role in the early days of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS). A lifelong bachelor, Walter continued this legacy and was known for his long and faithful service to the cause of confessional Lutheranism and for his strong support of the seminaries of the LCMS. On May 19, 2023, Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, awarded Walter the Doctor of Laws, Honoris Causa. Throughout his life, Dr. Dissen was a faithful congregational member, serving in many leadership positions. He served as a key member of the Board of Regents of both seminaries: Concordia Seminary, St. Louis (1971–1983; 2013–2019) and Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne (1995–2007 on the Board and then on the Investment Committee until his death). His first period of service at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, included the critical years surrounding the 1974 Walkout, during which time he stoutly defended the infallible truth of God’s Word against higher criticism and other false teachings. In recognition of this service, Walter was awarded the Christus Vivit Award by Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, in 1984 and the Miles Christi Award by Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, in 2011.

Dr. Dissen also served on the LCMS Commission on Appeals from 1983–1995. Walter attended every Synod convention since 1962 except for Detroit in 1965, Dallas in 1977, and Milwaukee in 2023. Walter was a founding member of the Concordia Theological Foundation, created to support the students of CTSFW, and of the Lutheran Concerns Association, which holds an annual conference and publishes The Lutheran Clarion. His breadth of experience in the life of his Church and his faithful witness to the Gospel characterize the devotion with which Dr. Dissen served his Lord throughout his life.

Funeral services will be held in Kramer Chapel on the campus of Concordia Theological Seminary, 6600 N. Clinton St., Fort Wayne, Indiana, on Saturday, August 26, 2023, with visitation starting at 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service at 11:00 a.m. There will be a luncheon following. Kindly RSVP to Carrie O’Donnell at [email protected] or 260-452-2284. Burial will follow at Concordia Gardens Cemetery, 5300 Lake Ave, Fort Wayne, Indiana, at 2:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne. Hockemeyer & Miller Funeral Home, Fort Wayne is helping care for arrangements. You’re invited to leave condolences and memories of Dr. Dissen on the funeral home’s website at www.hockemeyermillerfh.com.