VICARS OF TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH, TRAVERSE CITY, MICHIGAN
W. WISCHOFF (1890's)
After Trinity's second pastor, Rev. John Harsch, accepted a call and left Trinity, Trinity was served by Rev. D. Markworth of Kingsley. Trinity's early history notes that Pastor Markworth was assisted by a Divinity Student, W. Wischoff. No other records exist regarding Seminarian Wischoff.
RICHARD A. RIESS (1932-33)
Richard A. Riess, from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, served as vicar during Pastor L.C.C. Grueber’s ministry at Trinity. After graduating from the seminary in 1934, Pastor Riess served parishes in Conklin and Shelby, Michigan, Wyoming, and finally in The Dalles, Oregon. After many years of faithful service to His Lord, Pastor Riess now enjoys a fruitful retirement in The Dalles, Oregon. Pastor Riess is related to Mrs. Emma Lichty of Trinity.
EUGENE L. KRIEGER (1953-54)
During the pastorate of Dr. W. Harry Krieger, Eugene L. Krieger, the pastor's younger brother, came to Trinity for his vicarage. Eugene had spent the summer of 1952 in a special summer vicarage program and returned to Trinity for his formal vicarage in 1953. Vicar Eugene was extremely instrumental in the formation of St. Michael’s Lutheran Church during his stay. Recognizing the immense talent in Vicar Eugene and after the responsibilities of Dr. Krieger’s election to the Presidency of the Michigan District of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, Trinity called Pastor Eugene as the Associate Pastor. Pastor Eugene served Trinity from 1957-61. When Dr. Krieger’s position became full-time and the District Offices were located in Ann Arbor, Trinity extended a call to Pastor Eugene to become Trinity’s pastor. Feeling God's calling to serve in Grand Rapids, Pastor Eugene declined Trinity’s call and accepted the pastorate of Our Savior, Grand Rapids. Pastor Krieger is now retired and lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Beginning a trend among vicars, Pastor Eugene married the former Norma Auldrich, daughter of Laura Auldrich, a member of Trinity.
Rev. Dr. Ray F. Martens, vicar from 1954-55 
The Rev. Dr. Ray F. Martens served as Trinity's 21-year-old vicar during 1954-55 under the supervision of the Rev. Dr. W. Harry Krieger. His primary responsibility during his twelve month stay in Traverse City was to conduct Sunday worship services and to lead other congregational ministries at the newly founded Lutheran Church of St. Michael and All Angels. He did also participate in a number of activities in Trinity Lutheran Church and School, including some preaching (when, for example, Dr. Krieger held the monthly communion service at St. Michael's), as well as alternating with Dr. Krieger in preaching on Sunday afternoons in Mancelona. In spite of this remarkably rich parish experience — he preached 73 times in that one year - his career path never again allowed him to serve a parish full time as its pastor.
Dr. Martens is a native Texan who followed the traditional pattern of education for the Lutheran pastoral ministry, beginning as a high school freshman at Concordia, Austin, in 1945 and finishing as a 1956 graduate of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. After a year of graduate study, he was assigned to teach at Concordia Theological Seminary, Springfield, Illinois, where he taught primarily Greek and New Testament subjects. In 1973, he was called to be president of Concordia Lutheran College, Austin, the capacity in which he served until 1993. He continued to serve there for several years in a fund raising capacity until his retirement in 1996. In the course of his career, he had achieved his doctorate in New Testament studies.
In 1958, he married Jane Winkler, a young woman whom he had known from childhood in Giddings, Texas. They were blessed with three sons, and more recently with seven grandchildren. Jane and he live in retirement in Austin, Texas at 6003 Sierra Grande Dr Austin, TX 78759. Phone: (512)219-9131 Email: rfmartens@juno.com
JOHN ELLIOT (1958-59)
Vicar John came to Trinity in 1958 from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. Learning many things from Pastor Krieger, Vicar John was very active in leading Bible Studies and assisting in Confirmation instruction. After graduation, Pastor Elliot went on to become a professor at his alma mater, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Missouri.
PAUL H. GARCHOW (1976-77)
Vicar Garchow was the first vicar to serve Trinity with Pastor Fitz. He came to Trinity from Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Indiana. After graduating from the seminiary in 1978, Pastor Garchow went on to serve as the Associate Pastor of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Janesville, Wisconsin. 603 E Court St., Janesville, WI 53545 Phone: (608)756-0814 Email: garchow@aol.com
DENNIS A. HINZE (1977-78)
Vicar Hinze studied at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Indiana. He served the Lord with distinction at Trinity. During his tenure, Vicar Hinze continued the tradition begun by Vicar Krieger and married one of Trinity’s fine young Christians, the former Cindi Bathke. Pastor Hinze presently serves as the assistant pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Mt. Clemens, Michigan.
CRAIG H. BODE (1978-79)
Like
his two immediate predecessors, Vicar Bode came to Trinity from Concordia
Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Indiana. He continues to serve as pastor at
Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Euclid, Ohio as he has for 27 years, since his
graduation from seminary, leading this diverse and growing congregation in
outreach and ministry to its urban community and working with Synod and the Ohio
District to assist other urban churches throught the process of transition and
revitalization. 1622 Beverly Hills Dr.Euclid, OH 44117
Phone: (216) 692-0256 E-mail: craigbode@sbcglobal.net
DAVID F. NUSS (1979-80) update bio
Vicar Nuss, a Fort Wayne Seminarian, came to Traverse City and grew under the direction of our parish. Pastor Miss presently serves as the Associate Pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Seymour, Indiana. 35 Crannell Ave Delmar, NY 12054 Phone: (518)439-9812 Email: revdnuss@msn.com
STEVEN J. HEILMANN (1980-81)
Vicar Heilmann came to Trinity from Concordia Theological Seminiary, St. Louis, Missouri,
and continued to serve admirably as did his predecessors. While serving at Trinity, Vicar Heilmann discovered his wife in the person of Trinity’s own Barbara Sellke. Pastor Heilmann currently serves as the Associate Pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in Omro, Wisconsin.
ROBERT V. RIGGS (1981-82)
A native of Detroit, Vicar Riggs came to Trinity from Concordia Theological Seminary, St. Louis. During his year at Trinity, Vicar Riggs met Trinity's Lynne Vogtmann, originally from Auburn, Michigan, and married her prior to his return to the seminary. Candidate Riggs was ordained on June 12th, 1983 at Epiphany Lutheran Church in Detroit and will assume the dual pastorates of Hope Lutheran, Two Harbors and Faith Lutheran, Silver Bay, Minnesota.
PO Box 186 Sunbury, OH 43074 Phone: (740)965-9622 Email: dkmriggs2@aol.com
DANIEL L. HENKE (1982-83)
After receiving a degree in history from the University of Wisconsin, Vicar Henke pursued his theological studies at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne. Among his many God-given talents, Vicar Henke also is an accomplished organist.
JAME S A. HAGEMAN
(1983-84)
Vicar Hageman graduated from Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne. He is a native of California. Home: 702 Windham Square; Church: Our Savior Lutheran Church, 322 North River Avenue, Glendive, MT 59330.
Phone: (406)377-3890.