Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary // Marjorie and Victor Rouvellat

Marjorie and Victor Rouvellat

Marjorie and Victor Rouvellat went to high school together, married, and started a dry cleaning business in Baltimore which they operated until they retired. Throughout their long lives they prioritized the church with their presence, service, and treasure. As a result of planning they did long ago, they will be perpetually remembered and honored at Southern Seminary through The Rouvellat Family Memorial Chair of Homiletics, endowed by gifts through the ELCA Foundation and beneficiary designations through Thrivent Financial for Lutherans.

When the Rouvellats retired to Sun City Center in Florida, they joined Redeemer Lutheran Church and began contributing financially to Southern Seminary, the ELCA seminary in their region. Their Thrivent Financial representative, Richard Steinbrueck, recalls them fondly. He remembers Vic paying close attention to the stock market stats moving across the bottom of the television screen—and Marjorie's corresponding lack of interest! According to Richard, they were "gentle, kind people living out their lives the best they could under sometimes difficult health conditions.

"When Vic was dealing with memory loss, Richard inquired about his health and the reply was humorous and good-natured, "I'm not sure I can remember how I'm doing." Aware of Marjorie's desire for simplicity in finances, Richard guided her through the process of making a gift annuity to the seminary.

The Rouvellats' pastor at Redeemer, Robert H. Buhr, now retired to Kansas, was always, "Deeply grateful for their reassuring presence and positive influence in how they approached the work of the church." They were highly respected at Redeemer, and, "Their dependable support for programs and appeals had a contagious effect," Pastor Buhr said.

They were particularly responsive to the special needs of others, like victims of natural disasters. Pastor Buhr described Vic and Marjorie as individuals "remarkably well-balanced, spiritually mature and very dedicated to mission, who lived quite modestly considering their wealth." Marjorie served on the altar guild, and, as long as they were able, the Rouvellats were faithful in worship, Tuesday morning Bible class, and social activities. The congregation, primarily a senior retirement community, has a long record of both ongoing and major gifts to the seminary.

Prior to relocating to Sun City Center, Marjorie and Vic were members of Baltimore's Messiah English Lutheran Church where they met their close friends, Phil and Millie Brunner. The Brunners also moved to Sun City Center and joined Redeemer upon their retirement. The couples traveled together, including trips to England and Scandinavia. The Brunners miss their friends very much; Vic died in 2005 and Marjorie in 2007. Phil pays simple but eloquent homage, "They were good people; they worked hard for the church.

The Rouvellat gift is particularly relevant as the seminary greets its new professor of homiletics, the Rev. Shauna Hannan. Marjorie and Victor Rouvellat preached the gospel through the way they lived. Now, their generosity and vision guarantees that students at Southern Seminary will continue to be well-prepared for proclaiming the good news from the pulpit.

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Marjorie and Victor Rouvellat

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