Orval Oswald

March 29, 1926 - April 11, 2013

Orval Oswald Dr. Orval M. Oswald passed peacefully to Heaven on April 11 at his daughter’s home in Newberg, Oregon. He died at the age of 87 after a short period of declining health. He was preceded in death by Lois, his devoted wife of 58 years. Orval was born in Pulcifer, Wisconsin, the son of the Rev. and Mrs. Arthur Oswald. He grew up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, attending high school and receiving an Associate’s Degree from Concordia College Milwaukee. He graduated from Concordia Lutheran Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri in 1950 with BA, BD, and Master of Divinity degrees. Two days after graduating, Orval married Lois E. Mayer in St. Louis. They soon left for California where they served Lutheran parishes in Menlo Park and Fair Oaks from 1950 to 1977. In 1977 Pastor Oswald was elected President of the Northern California, Nevada, and Hawaii District of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, serving the District until 1991. He received an honorary doctorate from Concordia University in Irvine, CA in 1990. He retired in 1991, and the couple moved to Cameron Park, CA and then to Newberg in 2005. Orval is survived by his son, John, of Buellton, CA; three daughters, Beth (Dave) Jungmeyer of California, MO, Ruth (Bill) Schrempp of Newberg, Anne (Bill) Skadsen of Mt. Shasta, CA; six grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and two brothers, Rev. Arthur Oswald and Rev. Wallace Oswald. A memorial service will be held at Zion Lutheran Church in Newberg on April 15 at 1:00 p.m. Memorials may be made to the Dr. Orval Oswald Endowment Fund at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri or to Zion Lutheran Church under the direction of Attrell’s Funeral Chapel in Newberg.