Rev. David Kaiser (2022)

Serving as Chaplain for Luther College at the University of Regina from 1988 to 2000, David Kaiser is regarded as a creative, insightful, empathetic and thoughtful person who liked to laugh and bring laughter to those around him. He received not one, but two nominations for the Distinguished Service Award, which speaks to his worthiness as a recipient.

As Chaplain, David’s influence reached beyond the Christian community, as students from other religious traditions would come to his Sunday services. He also contributed to the academic life of the College in his teaching of a Christianity course in the Religious Studies program; this expanded his outreach to students at Luther, on the campus, and in the community. David has been an important influence with his involvement in the worship life of Lutheran congregations in Regina, and at synodical conventions of the ELCIC. David was a friend and counsellor to former Presidents of both Luther College and the University of Regina, and to many others over the years since his official retirement. Several past Presidents of the College have said David inspired them to be their best selves. Rev. Dr. Rick Hordern said this about David: “he was the one constant leader of the school during a decade of dramatic change, the always friendly, accepting and humorous friend, the master wordsmith who could make language come alive, and who helped all of us discover that the wonders of eternity and the infinite can be found in the midst of the normal, everyday realities we encounter in life.”

David is a prolific writer, engaging speaker, juggler, and puppeteer. David and his wife Marlys have four children, as well as grandchildren and great-grandchildren who live around the world.