Rev. David K. Louder

LOUDER---The Reverend David Keith Louder, 56, of Windber, PA died 10/20/2023 after a four-year battle with ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease). He was preceded in death by his mother Janice, brother Mark, and sister Mara. He is survived by his wife Corlee, daughters Anna and Amanda, his father, The Reverend Kenneth Louder, and extended family. David was born in Somerset, Pennsylvania, March 20, 1967 to Janice (Stuver) and Kenneth Louder, the youngest of three children. He attended high school through 10th grade at Windber Area High School, until the family moved to Watsontown, PA where he graduated from Warrior Run High School in 1985. David earned an undergraduate degree in Classics and Religious Studies in 1990 at the University of Pennsylvania, his Master of Divinity from The Lutheran Theological Seminary in 1994 and was ordained as a pastor in the Lutheran Church. He served as a pastor for three years before returning to higher education, earning his Doctoral degree in New Testament Theology from Princeton Theological Seminary in 2008. Over his 25-year pastoral ministry, David served churches in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Michigan. He also did campus ministry at Western Michigan University from 2009-2018. In 2016, David and his daughter, Anna began to work on an historical documentary, known as Berwindland, which chronicles the origins of the coal town of Windber and the immigrant miners experience from the late 1890’s to present day. The family moved from Michigan to Windber in 2019 to continue their work. David also chronicled the history on a web page, The Windber Project Page and Facebook. While illness limited his work in the last two years or so, Anna plans to continue work on the film. David had many interests outside of work including movies, music - playing, singing, and listening, Steelers football and Penguins hockey. He loved the mountains in western PA and exploring them with his family. The family will receive friends at Noon, Friday, December 8, 2023 followed by a memorial service at 1 p.m. that day at Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church, 1000 Scalp Avenue, Johnstown, PA, with Rev. Scott Lingenfelter officiating. At David and the family’s request, please omit flowers. The family is being served by Harris Funeral Home, 500 Cherry Lane, Richland. Online condolences may be posted at www.wharrisfuneralhome.com.