Rev. Dr. Harold R. Wimmer

The Rev. Dr. Harold R. Wimmer, Bishop, Retired, of the Lutheran Church in America, New England Synod, passed away at his home in Guilford on June 30, 2015. Born in Des Moines, IA on June 1, 1930, he was a son of the late Hobart and Bertha Thompson Wimmer. He is survived by his beloved wife of 60 years Gertrude ('Trudy') Schultz Wimmer, his children; Bonnie (Brett) Hendricks of Fairfield, IA, Patricia (Jeffrey) Allen of Madison, CT, and Mark (Kathy) Wimmer of Hamden, CT, grandchildren; Katie Dinkel, Matthew Allen, and Mike and Chris Wimmer, and siblings Darlene Rominger of N. Liberty, IA and Ralph (Sherrie) Wimmer of Ankeny, IA. He is also survived by niece Debra (Jerry) Eakins of Des Moines, IA, 4 other nieces and 3 nephews. Predeceased by his sister Barbara Metcalf, and a niece, Linda Ainsworth. Hal was a proud member of the Boy Scouts of America, attained Eagle Scout and received the Pro Patria Award and Order of the Arrow. He received a BA from Augustana College, Rock Island, IL in 1953, and an MA from the Augustana Seminary, Rock Island, IL, and was Ordained in Chautauqua, NY in 1958. He received an STM from Yale University, New Haven, CT in 1981, an MA in Counseling from St. Josephs College, W. Hartford, CT, and an Honorary Doctorate from Upsala College, E. Orange, NJ. Rev. Dr. Wimmer served as pastor of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Durant, IA, St. Andrews Lutheran Church, Mundelein, IL, Bethesda Lutheran Church New Haven, CT for 14 years, and served as Bishop, Lutheran Church of America, New England Synod from 1982-1987. He also was an Interim Pastor for 15 Lutheran congregations throughout CT. He was a Board Member of the APT Foundation, United Way, Lutheran Social Services of New England, Camp Calumet, W. Ossipee, NH, and the Hamden Youth Hockey Assoc. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, August 8th at 11:00 AM at Bethesda Lutheran Church, 450 Whitney Ave., New Haven, CT. Friends may visit with his family prior to the service from 10-11 AM. Burial will be private. BEECHER & BENNETT FUNERAL HOME, 2300 Whitney Ave., Hamden is in care of arrangements. Memorial gifts may be sent to the office of Bethesda Lutheran Church, 305 St. Ronan St. New Haven, CT 06511.