Former CUAA professor of theology Rev. Dr. Richard Shuta, an influential figure on the Ann Arbor campus for more than 35 years, was called to rest on January 4.
By Rev. John Zimmerman (’06), Pastor, Immanuel Lutheran Church, Scranton, PA
Dear Concordia University Ann Arbor community,
Our brother in Christ, and a dear mentor for many, Rev. Dr. Richard Joseph Shuta, was called nearer to Christ’s presence on January 4, 2025. His funeral was held back home in Northeastern Pennsylvania on Friday, January 17.
As his childhood congregation, St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church in Dickson City, Pennsylvania, just three miles from my post next door in Scranton, remains vacant, it was a humbling privilege as a former student to preach at the funeral for a beloved professor, a dear encouraging elder brother in the Pastoral Office, and chiefly, a fellow believer of Jesus. He got a kick out of my being a vacancy pastor for a time at his home congregation. When I was his student twenty years ago, I didn’t have preaching Dr. Shuta’s funeral sermon on my bingo card. A joy to share the hope of the resurrection at his funeral.
Richard’s faith has become his sight. We rejoice in the victory over death that Christ Jesus secured on the Cross of Calvary and that Richard was baptized into many moons ago. It was a joy quoting a handful of passages from his New Testament textbook that he provided for students at Concordia during my time as a student.
As we remember our departed professor, we grieve in the sure and certain hope of the resurrection of all who believe in Jesus.
The following is adapted from the obituary prepared for the funeral bulletin by the family and current vacancy pastor:
Our Savior Jesus Christ has destroyed death and brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel. Let us remember with thanksgiving what God has done through His servant, Richard.
Richard Joseph Shuta was born to Joseph J. Shuta & Irene (Matushak) Shuta on February 6, 1939 in the small northeastern Pennsylvania town of Olyphant, a suburb of Scranton, the “Queen City” of the anthracite coal region. His father worked as an agent for Metropolitan Insurance and his mother worked as a homemaker. Richard was re-born in Holy Baptism on February 11, 1939 at St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church, Dickson City, and was confirmed in his Christian faith, along with several classmates, at St. Stephen’s on August 3, 1952.
Richard attended Washington Elementary School in Olyphant and Olyphant Junior High School. From an early age, he had an interest in Greek Classics, so he attended Scranton Central High School, a preparatory school for East Coast Ivy League Universities, graduating in 1956. Following graduation, and encouraged by his parents and pastor, Rev. Dr. Paul Rafaj, Richard began his pathway towards Ordination at Concordia Junior College, Fort Wayne, Indiana and continued his studies at Concordia Theological Seminary, Springfield, Illinois.
Professor Shuta’s teaching career began at Valparaiso University in northwestern Indiana, where he taught Lutheran History. While teaching at the institution, he also earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology. His teaching at Valparaiso led to his first Call at Concordia University, Seward, Nebraska where he served as Dean of Men and Professor of Theology. While serving at Seward, Shuta continued his graduate education, leaving the confines of the Missouri Synod, enrolling at Drew University in Madison, New Jersey, where he would be conferred both a Master of Philosophy, and later, a Doctor of Philosophy.
When Concordia Lutheran Junior College in Ann Arbor, Michigan transitioned to be a four-year college for The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, Shuta was called to serve as Professor of Theology. His service in Ann Arbor touched five decades, from the mid-1970s into the 2010s (1976-2012). With that length of service, he was able to teach and mentor multiple generations of the same families. During his tenure, Shuta also served as Chairman of the combined Religion-Philosophy Department for over a decade.
Shuta’s continued interest in missions and communication bore fruit in his writing for Good News magazine and many other publications. His article on Baptism, for example, has been translated into seventeen languages. He was also heard on over 50 broadcasts for Issue Etc., a program on KFUO, St. Louis. In addition to writing his teaching texts as a professor, he also wrote several studies on the Gospels and pericopes for Concordia Publishing House.
One of many highlights of Shuta’s career was his keynote address at The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod in 1995. His topic was “Grow in the Word (not graduate).” He reminded the Synod “whatever is eternal, is always contemporary.” His Church career had one goal, as he said, “to be an instrument of God for good rather than evil.” The Lord graciously answered that prayer by giving him the privilege and responsibility of teaching Christ’s men and women for over 45 years. Richard retired from full-time teaching at Concordia University, Ann Arbor in 2012. Enjoying farm life in Chelsea, he continued to pursue collecting fine works of art.
Richard is survived by sister, Marcia Rudat, nephews Jeff, Kevin (Jessica) and Todd Rudat (April), grandnephew, David and grandniece, Julia. He was predeceased by his parents, Joseph & Irene, and an older sister, Beverly who passed at age 7, and brother-in-law, David L. Rudat.
The Lord gives and the Lord takes away; blessed be the name of the Lord. We give thanks to God our Father through Jesus Christ, our Lord, for our brother, Richard Joseph Shuta.
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