Pastor Ronald E. Saatkamp Obituary (1942 - 2021)

Ronald E. Saatkamp of La Porte, IN, passed away peacefully on April 26, 2021 surrounded by his loving family. He was 78 years old. Born on November 10, 1942 in Brooklyn, New York, he was the son of Harold Saatkamp, a pharmaceutical manufacturing technician, and Anna Marie (Lederhaus) Saatkamp, a medical manufacturing supervisor. His family moved to West Orange, NJ, when he was two, and from then on, Ronald always had a special place in his heart for the East Coast. Years later, on August 22, 1965, he married the love of his life, Anne Marie Gardner, and together they had two children. A veteran of the U.S. Army, Ronald was also deployed to Vietnam from 1967-1968, where he earned the rank of SPC-6 (T). For the last 34 years of his life, Ronald preached, taught, and provided congregational care as a Lutheran pastor, serving and leading three churches: Concordia Lutheran Church, Hammond, IN (2004-2021), St. Mark Lutheran Church, Provo, UT (1990-2004), and Christ Lutheran Church, Center Moriches, NY (1987-1990). At each church, blessings abounded as lifelong friendships and wonderful connections were made. Prior to his career in ministry, Ronald worked in risk management and business both in New York City and New Jersey, having earned his MBA from Rutgers University in 1972. He would eventually complete his M.Div. at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, IN, in 1987 during which time he spent his vicarage year at Atonement Lutheran Church in Burien, WA. For Ronald, family meant everything, and he often beamed with pride as he spoke about his children, grandchildren, and wife of 55 years. He also treasured time on the golf course, but his favorite spots on Earth were always those with water in view. Hours could easily pass sitting along any shore watching boats crisscross the sea, and days actually on a boat with family and friends were among his most cherished memories. Ronald is survived by wife Anne of La Porte, IN; daughter Karen (John) Gerboth of Waterford, CT, and son Kevin (Dana) Saatkamp of Williamsburg, VA, along with four grandchildren: Erin, Abby, and Lauren Gerboth and Jacob Saatkamp. His parents predeceased him. Visitation will be from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. (CDT) on Friday, April 30, 2021, at Bocken Funeral Home, 7042 Kennedy Ave., Hammond, IN, (Hessville). Funeral service Saturday, May 1, 2021 at 10:30 a.m. at Concordia Lutheran Church, 7441 Grand Ave., Hammond, IN. with Rev. Donald E. Stock officiating. Viewing at church from 10:00 a.m. until the service. Interment with military honors will take place at Pleasantdale Cemetery, 620 Eagle Rock Ave., West Orange, NJ, on Saturday, May 8, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. (EDT) with Rev. John Fleischmann officiating. Interment service under the direction of Prout Funeral Home in Verona, NJ (973) 239-2060. For additional information contact Bocken Funeral Home. (219)844-1600. "I am the resurrection and the life." - John 11:25 In lieu of flowers, contributions can be sent to Christ Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 580, East Moriches, NY 11940 to support new green altar paraments to be dedicated in Ronald's name.