Dearest family and friends of Dr. Zietlow,
It was with sadness and fond memories that I learned of Dr. Zietlow's passing from the Concordia Health Plan newsletter.
Where to begin...? As a freshman, Dr. Zietlow and his wife met me the night before I was to lead the worship in chapel at CTS, Fort Wayne. He wanted to help me get comfortable with the setting and "get the nerves out". Not only did he afford me that opportunity, he also modeled practicing his own sermon that night as well.
Dr. Zietlow arraned for my first preaching assignment while at the seminary in a small country church in Ohio. He was unable to perform that service due to a schedule conflict, and I was honored to be able to fill in for him.
Dr. Zietlow taught a class on media, and took us to a local tv station to film a devotion that aired at sign-off/sign-on. What a mentor he was in all facets of the ministry.
He was my advisor for my MDiv Thesis, and offered helpful guidance along the way. I'll never forget my Theological interview with him and Professor Degner in their backyard in a mild summer's evening drinking lemonade and hearing them swap car stories--Prof. Zietlow touting his beloved Volvos and Prof. Degner, his Porsche. After the "mild grilling"--and it was very mild indeed, Mrs. Z provided lemonade in her usual gracious manner.
Dr. Z preached at my ordination sermon in Hammond, Indiana on a cold snowy December 18, 1983. He and Mrs. Z made the trip, and made the day memorable!
Dr. Zietlows' two memorable quotes--among many offered no doubt, were "Educate before you innovate!" and "Do all you can the best you can!" Without a doubt, Dr. Zietow definitely did that!
We rejoice in the hope of sharing the glory of God with Dr. Zietlow in Heaven!

I will always remember Dr. Zietlow as a man who loved Christ, God's Word, God's people, and those who needed the Savior.  His classes in theology and evangelism were always inspirational and relevant to the needs of men.  He was very kind to me, especially when I was completing a STM thesis at ELTS.  It is comforting to know that he is now in the presence of the Savior, whom he loved and served faithfully for so many years. 
Charles J. Flesher

May God's peace and the promise of the resurrection surround your family.  

Pastor Pete Hinrich and the people of St. Paul Lutheran Church - Gilman, Il

Dear Friends,

I first came to know your husband and father in 1976 when I was a first year student at the seminary in Columbus and a classmate of Paul. I remember his (and your) hospitality in inviting me to your home during my student days. I took your father's course on "Theology of Helmut Thielicke" which would stimulate a life-long interest in his writings. Although your father retired the same year I came on the faculty in Fort Wayne, I appreciated his kindness to me at that time. The stories of your husband and father affectionately known to us in Columbus and Fort Wayne as "Zippy" will long remain. Most of all, we cherish his commitment to spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ. May God give you comfort and peace in that Gospel.

Prof. John T. Pless (Trinity Lutheran Seminary-Class of 1979)
Concordia Theological Seminary
Fort Wayne, IN

Dear Miriam and family,
   I am one of the "Ziet's boys" from the Class of 1968 at ELTS.  Harold was for me and for all of us a true inspiration.  His prayers before class presentations were legendary.  As you might guess from us sometimes rowdy seminarians, we gave him some good natured kidding about that, too.
   He taught us the absolute centrality of the love of Jesus, and that has stayed with me as a Pastor through 40 years of active ministry, and now 4 years of retirement ministry.
He also demonstrated care for others: I remember me and several seminarians and Harold up on a rooftop shingling a roof for a widow lady near Bexley.  He gave us the example of caring in action.
   And his love of sports led him to lead us in basketball ("Ziet's boys") and I think also in volleyball.
   He is remembered as a favorite and an inspiration!  
The memory of all of his involvements is amazing in its breadth and depth, all solidly based on the love of Jesus.
   May God continue to bless you his family, and may we all realize how lucky we were to have Dr. Harold "Zippy" Zietlow to be a huge part of our formation as pastors.

Sincerely in Christ,
Phil Yokers, ELTS Class of 1968

Dear Miriam and family.  We shall always remember Harold's kind greeting whenever we saw him in the dining room at Wesley Glen.  We are all sad about his leaving us in this world, but we know that he now is finding joy and peace with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  Let this drown a sorrow just a little.  Our prayers are with you.  Ruth and Bernie McDonald.

Dr. Zietlow taught outside the classroom as well as inside. He treated me as a partner from almost the first time I was introduced to him in the summer of 1979 when we both arrived in Ft. Wayne. What an honor to learn from and work with this versatile and energetic servant of the Lord! 

I appreciated his guidance both in an undergraduate homiletics class and in a graduate independent study in radio ministry. I admired his concern, especially for students who struggled just to keep up and remain in seminary. I benefited from hours of conversations with him over the years, first as a student and later as a pastor in the area. 

And who could not be affected by his zeal for and with the Gospel of Christ? Academics were important and grades were necessary, but ultimately the task at hand with this professor was proclaiming the Good News to poor sinners. It was about the Savior getting people to heaven. Dr. Zietlow preached the Word and he loved people.

When I received my Ph.D. from Ohio State (his alma mater as well as mine), I was amazed at the prospect that one of my former seminary professors would make the trip over to Columbus to be there. But I was not at all surprised that if any of them were to do this, it was in fact Harold Zietlow who did it. 

Ken Schurb

Dear Mim:

 Our condolences on the death of Harold. The obituary did litle to bring forth the contribution Harold made to the kingdom of God. All of us students at the seminary were blessed to sit under his teaching. We especially appreciated his zeal for the spread of the Gospel. One of my favorite memories of Harold was the time we spent hours at your house making a movie about a plane crash only to have the local library erase the whole movie out accidentally. May God grant you his peace that passes all understanding.

Phil Schamehorn
Fort Wayne

Dear Zietlows;  your husband and father was a favorite professor of mine at ELTS when he taught there.  His lively lectures and practical insights have helped me all through my career as pastor of three congregations.  I will always remember him fondly.  An original "out of the box" thinker. May the faith that he had and taught sustain you in this tender time.

Rev. Captain David W. Blake
Class of 1968
Gaylord, Michigan

Dr. Zietlow was one of my homiletics professors at the Concordia Theological Seminary.  I believe the class was "Preaching Workshop," for fourth year students who had already finished their vicarage (i.e., internship).  We all had lots of fun in that class, which was partly the result of poking fun at each student's sermon outline and partly the result of Dr. Zietlow's lively style of presentation and guiding class discussions.

Dr. Zietlow often visited the cafeteria for lunch with the students, and showed genuine concern and interest in their concerns and questions.  Not all professors do that.

Dr. Zietlow was also on my thesis committee for the S.T.M. degree.  My field was Systematic Theology and he was in Pastoral Theology.  He was asked by my advisor to serve on my committee because of his philosophical training.  My thesis was on the modern philosopher, Hans-Georg Gadamer.  During the discussions in the oral examination, Dr. Zietlow gave both intelligent comments and useful criticisms.  Some of the other faculty, who didn't know him so well, were surprised to see that he understood Gadamer, and his place in philosophical history, better than they.

I remember with gratitude all of my professors, but Harold will be remembered especially for his good humour and pastoral concern for his students.

From:   The Rev. Martin R. Noland, Pastor, Trinity Lutheran Church, Evansville, Indiana
(CTS Fort Wayne, MDiv 1983, STM 1986; Union Theological Seminary, PhD 1996).

Dear Miriam -
I am so sorry about the loss of your dear Harold.  He taught me at the Fort Wayne  Seminary so much about preaching to the people and loving them.  He made me aware of much in how to relate to people from the pulpit.  His emphasis on Law and Gospel and the Sacraments was truly helpful to me the entire 24 years that I served actively at St. Paul's in Fort Wayne.  Now disabled and retired, I remember him and his teaching with much appreciation.  The Lord Christ truly used him in many ways for the salvation of countless souls.  

The Lord of Hosts will continue to comfort you as you grieve, knowing that Harold is shouting resurrection victories at the Right Hand of the Lord of all grace and love.  From the cross of Jesus and from Easter's open tomb cascades to you the eternal benefits of His love in Baptism, in the Sacrament of the Altar, in the preached word and in the words of absolution, "I forgive you all your sins."  His Word and sacraments always declare to you release from eternal condemnation and residency in the eternal mansions, guaranteed.

God bless you, Miriam, and your entire family.

John Hamer
September 14, 2011

OBITUARY

Harold H. Zietlow

October 7, 1926 – September 11, 2011

Schoedinger Midtown

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