ROCHESTER, NY (July 12, 2010) – A memorial service will be held Friday for Covenant minister Werner Lemke, 77, who spent his professional career teaching theology. Lemke died July 5.

The service will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday at New Life Presbyterian Church in Rochester.

Lemke was born January 1, 1933, in Berlin, Germany. He married Sandra Lannin on July 27, 1956.

Lemke received his bachelor of arts degree from Northwestern University in 1956. In 1959 he earned a bachelor of divinity from North Park Theological Seminary in Chicago and completed his ThD at Harvard University in 1964.

Lemke joined the faculty of Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School (CRCDS) in 1966 as an associate professor of Old Testament Interpretation. He continued his association with the school until his retirement as professor emeritus in 2003.

Lemke held positions at McCormick Theological Seminary, Harvard University, Princeton Theological Seminary, and the University of Rochester. Complementing his teaching in the area of biblical studies, Lemke authored numerous articles and collaborated in the publication of five books. In October 1997, the CRCDS Board of Trustees appointed Lemke as the first professor to hold the Baptist Missionary Training School Professorship of Biblical Interpretation.

Covenant News Service will publish additional information as it becomes available.