Kuder, John, H. F. (1906-1990)

The Rev. Dr. John Henry Fred Kuder, first bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Papua New Guinea, was born on October 6, 1906, in Niagara Falls, New York. The eldest of three children of Frederick Kuder and Louise Steiger Kuder, he received his early education through the parish school at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Niagara Falls, New York, but completed his primary education in the public school system.

After completing one year of high school, John Kuder enrolled at Martin Luther College and Seminary, Buffalo, New York, which was the seminary of the Lutheran Synod of Buffalo. He participated in its preparatory department and then entered the seminary from which he graduated in 1928. On August 5, 1928, the Lutheran Synod of Buffalo ordained him. He received and accepted a call to serve the parish of First St. Matthew's Lutheran Church, Hanover, Ontario. He served there until 1934. He married Louise Schwenkbeck, also of Niagara Falls, New York, on November 7, 1928.

Rev. Kuder was commissioned an ALC missionary to New Guinea on February 18, 1934, and he and Mrs. Kuder entered missionary service in March 1934 and began their term in New Guinea on May 17, 1934.

The Kuders served as ALC missionaries to Papua New Guinea until July 1973 when Rev. Kuder resigned to pursue retirement. They left the field in May 1973 and retired to Columbus, Ohio, where Rev. Kuder served in the Ohio District of TALC as a representative of TALC's Division for World Mission and Inter-Church Cooperation. Later Rev. Kuder served as chaplain at Alum Crest Nursing Home, Columbus, Ohio. He passed away on May 22, 1990, at the age of 83.