Reverend Dr. David Eberhard

The Rev. Dr. David Eberhard, 82, passed away peacefully Tuesday, May 10, 2016, with his loving family by his side. He was Pastor Emeritus of Historic Trinity Lutheran Church and a former City of Detroit Councilman. He was the beloved husband of Beverly (Jacobs) whom he married on July 11, 1959 in Louisville, Kentucky; dear father of Michael (Michelene), Mark (Kim), Timothy (Marcia), Paul (Becky), and David (Karin); loving grandfather of John (Amanda); Erin, Erich, Ean, Eamon; Stephaney, Shane, Kyle, Allison; Hannah, Sarah, Rachel; Claire and Natalie; and the late Nathan Paul; brother of John Paul (Lois), Lois Martin (John), Richard (Carol) and Arthur (Daphne), the late Naomi McCrea (the late Donald) and the late Ruth Lewis. He was the brother-in-law of Judith Rowe (James) and uncle to many nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews. The Rev. Dr. David Eberhard was born January 1, 1934, in Louisville, Kentucky, one of seven children of the Rev. Dr. Carl and Clara (Schwolert) Eberhard. He attended a parochial primary school and a public high school in Louisville. While attending Male High School in Louisville, from 1949 to 1952, he demonstrated his leadership abilities as a track star, as a class officer, as Lieutenant Colonel in the ROTC, and as the Youth Governor of the Kentucky Youth Assembly in 1951-52. He was appointed to the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonel in 1952. He graduated from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Missouri, and holds Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Divinity, Master of Theology, and Doctor of Letters degrees. From 1959 to 1976, Dr. Eberhard was Pastor of Riverside Lutheran Church on Detroit's lower eastside. The parish was active in the Civil Rights Movement and maintained community outreach programs including a free clinic, senior citizen programs, day care center, youth home, co-op store, and Lutheran peace corps. In addition, he served as Pastor of Holy Trinity Polish Lutheran Church from 1969 to 1981, and Holy Trinity Slovak Lutheran Church from 1979 to 1995. In 1980, Dr. Eberhard became Associate Pastor of Historic Trinity Lutheran Church in downtown Detroit. In 1983, he was elevated to the position of Head Pastor. He served 35 years at Historic Trinity. Part of his mission at Historic Trinity was to develop a meaningful paradigm for downtown churches in America. Under Dr. Eberhard's guidance, Historic Trinity is a leader among urban churches, enhancing its development as an ecclesiastical, cultural, community resource and gathering place for Metropolitan Detroit. In September of 1995, Dr. Eberhard began Lutheran City Ministries of Detroit. This cutting-edge cross cultural ministry was designed to restructure the church in the City of Detroit, by preaching station store fronts, dual use church ministries, cell groups, onsite lay and professional training, and ministry on the internet, assuring pathways for the unchurched to the Lord. Dr. Eberhard was elected to the Detroit City Council in 1969 where he served until 1993. Councilman Eberhard was elected six times in city-wide elections for a total of 24 years of service to the City of Detroit. The experience and skills which he brought to the city governing processes allowed him to significantly impact the decisions which shaped the development of Detroit. In his role as a church and civic leader Dr. Eberhard served many boards, committees, and organizations including: President of the Michigan Municipal League, President of the Municipal League Foundation, Member of various National League of Cities subcommittees, The Detroit Bar Association-Legal Aid Committee, National Urban Planning Institute, various Detroit Urban Study Committees, LCMS Medical Missions Board of Directors, Detroit Lutheran High Schools Board of Directors, Michigan District Social Ministry Board Chairman, Member Michigan District LCMS Board of Directors, Detroit East (and Central) Circuit Counselor, Sobriety House Board of Directors, and many others. He was a member of the Detroit Yacht Club and Detroit Athletic Club. He received numerous national, state, and local honors including the Liberty Bell Award from the State Bar of Michigan in 1964, the Michigan Jaycees "Michigan Young Man of the Year" in 1968 and the Christus Primus Award from Concordia University Ann Arbor in 2008. He appeared in many national and television documentaries and programs related to his religious and civic knowledge and expertise. Dr. Eberhard was known for his love of Christmas. Decorations filled every room of Historic Trinity, as well as his home. Hundreds of people visited the church each holiday to see the elaborate decorations, including more than 650 angels, 250 crches and 50 Christmas trees. He also enjoyed creating detailed and intricate miniature houses decorating many of the rooms with furniture he created. Quite a few houses are displayed in a room at the church frequented by church members, especially children. Dr. Eberhard enjoyed gardening. From spring through fall, he carefully tended for the flowers and plants in the yard around his house. The seasonal displays of color brought joy to those who saw them in person and with whom he shared many photos. Most of all Dr. Eberhard loved spending time with his family celebrating birthdays and holidays throughout the year. He will be deeply missed by his family and those he touched through his ministerial and civic responsibilities. Visitation will be 2 to 8 p.m. Thursday, May 12, and Friday, May 13, at Historic Trinity Lutheran Church, 1345 Gratiot, Detroit. A funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 14, at the church. He will lie instate at 9:30 a.m. until time of service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Historic Trinity Lutheran Church, 1345 Gratiot, Detroit, MI 48207.

Funeral Home:

A. H. Peters Funeral Home of Grosse Pointe

20705 Mack Avenue

Grosse Pointe Woods, MI

US 48236