Richard Rutz Memorial Scholarship Awarded

written by Pastor John Albers | September 30, 2026

Last year the family of Richard “Dick” Rutz approached Pastor Albers with a request to become the conduit for the Richard Rutz Memorial Scholarship. He happily responded “I don’t see why we cannot make that happen.” In this inaugural year, thanks to additional donations made in Dick’s honor, we are pleased to award TWO $1,000 scholarships to Isaac Fronk and Amanda Peters.

 

SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS

Shortly after Dick’s death in 2020, his family established the “Richard W. Rutz La Porte High School Science Scholarship.” In recent years, La Porte High School was no longer able to be the means by which a scholarship could be awarded to a local LPHS graduate.  In accordance with the desires of the family and the restrictions of Thrivent Charitable, it was decided to award a scholarship to:

  • a student pursuing any form of post-secondary education, which could include a trade school; and 
  • who has a “significant relationship to St. John’s.”

The family intentionally wanted to keep any restriction as broad as possible so as to make sure a diverse group of students could qualify.

Isaac Fronk has been a part of St. John’s Lutheran Church and School for his entire life and is an alumna of St. John’s School. Isaac is studying Engineering at Valparaiso University and is also a thrower with the VU Track and Field Team.

Amanda Peters is the granddaughter of Jim and Linda Peters. She now lives near Indianapolis but was part of the preschool at St. John’s. 

 

ADDITIONAL DONATIONS GLADLY ACCEPTED!

Would you like to help provide for this scholarship now and in the future?  There are two options:

  1. St. John’s will regularly receive income from the Rutz Scholarship Donor Advised Fund (DAF) at Thrivent Charitable. This year we received $440.  If you would like to permanently increase the balance of the scholarship fund, you can make a donation through Thrivent Charitable. Follow the instructions on the  Thrivent Charitable Make a Gift page.  Be sure to mark your gift with the fund ID or Name, officially: Fund ID338186, “The Richard W. Rutz LaPorte High School Science Scholarship” Fund.
  2. St. John’s will increase the current amount and number of scholarships available using donations made through St. John’s earmarked to the “Richard Rutz Memorial Scholarship” fund. This year we received another $1,560 in donations making two, $1,000 scholarship awards possible. Simply designate your gift to St. John’s appropriately, and we will apply it to the next round of scholarship awards.