After 38 years of faithfully serving area parishes, the Rev. Robert vonFrisch is retiring. He will offer his final service at his current post, Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Lehighton, on Aug. 26.

VonFrisch began his calling in the Lutheran Church at Wagner College in New York. While he began his studies as a math major and intended to become a math teacher, he began exploring other majors and career options, including English and social work.He had been active in the church throughout high school and college, and also wanted to continue exploring his passion for music."Through music and the church, I began to learn how to express myself more," he said. "I found that I had an interest in people and their well-being. I began to feel a call toward ministry."After graduating from Wagner, he attended Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg. He graduated from seminary in 1974.During his time in seminary, vonFrisch interned at St. John's Lutheran Church in Hamburg. It was there that he would meet his future wife, Karen, and begin developing ties to our area.He accepted his first call at St. John's in Towamensing, where he helped the congregation transition from the leadership of their long-term pastor, the Rev. M. Luther Wahrmann, who had spent his entire ministry at St. John's."The pastor had been there for 42 years. They loved Pastor Wahrmann, but they were also ready to try new things. It was simply time for new things to happen," said vonFrisch. "My job was to encourage and foster and encourage the congregational life."He did so by launching new programs and expanding their preschool and youth ministry program. The congregation also built a new Sunday School building and parish hall.Enjoying the challenge of working with an active, evolving congregation, vonFrisch soon began building a career around his transitional leadership skills.He discovered that his talents were best suited to work with a congregation in transition, building membership and outreach before moving on."I felt that after eight to 10 years, it was time for new insight and new leadership," he said.He faced a similar transition period at Trinity in Lehighton, answering a call after the congregation had worked with several interim and short-term pastors."The transition here was to get things back on track and to restore a sense of normalcy," said vonFrisch.A number of staff members had recently retired, so he focused on rebuilding the staff and guiding the congregation as they expanded and started new social ministry programs such as the Thrift Store, Trinity Food Pantry, the Trinity Praise Band, and the Jack and Jill nursery program."A lot has taken place, and is still taking place. There are more opportunities to get involved at Trinity, and they've got a lot of enthusiasm for their future."While at Trinity, vonFrisch also served as the Hazleton/Lehighton Mission District Dean and on the local Shepherd House food pantry board. He led several mission trips with members of the congregation and youth group, including two trips following Hurricane Katrina, a 10-day trip to the Holy Land, and youth trips to Camden, N.J. and New Orleans.As vonFrisch approaches retirement, he is looking forward to his own transition of sorts. He plans to remain an active part of the community by becoming a supply pastor this fall, filling in when area churches need a short-term preacher.He also plans to remain on the Blue Mountain Health System's board of directors, become a member of the Weatherly Library board, and volunteer with Rails to Trails.Perhaps most importantly, vonFrisch is also looking forward to spending more time with family, including his recently retired wife, and provide care for his young granddaughter."It will be a full and active retirement," he added. "I've reached that point in my life where I want to pursue new opportunities. I expect to be very active in the community, making the best use of my time and my abilities."VonFrisch noted that when he presided over Trinity's annual Scholarship Sunday this month, he was able to meet and hear preach several seminary students.The worship service is traditionally led by seminary students preparing to graduate. He was impressed by the quality of students ready to begin leadership roles in the church."This is ultimately good for the life of the church," vonFrisch said of the recent retirement of several synod pastors, and of his own retirement."There will be new ideas, and new blood. I feel very optimistic. The congregation at Trinity needs to be open-minded to the possibilities. God does hold us in his future, and we can look forward to the future."