Christian
Memorial
Service for Robert Grier Rentschler
October 13, 1937 - January 19, 2026
Whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.
Romans 14:8
Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church
Tucson, Arizona
February 7, 2026
The order for our service today is based on the Christian Funeral service in the blue Christian Worship hymnal (pages 274-277). Please join in speaking the congregational parts and singing the hymns as indicated.
REMEMBRANCEOFBAPTISM
Minister: In the name of the Father and of the T Son and of the Holy Spirit. Congregation: Amen.
In Holy Baptism, Bob was clothed with the robe of Christ’s righteousness that covered all his sin. St. Paul affirms, “In Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.”
The apostle also writes, “All of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death. We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his.”
Christ is risen! He is risen, indeed!
GOD’SCOMFORT
We have come together to seek God’s comfort in our sorrow and to rejoice in the promise of the resurrection. Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ who said, “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die.”
The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Death has been swallowed up in victory! Thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
When Christ, who is our life, appears, then we also will appear with him in glory.
Let us pray.
Lord Jesus, you wept at the grave of your friend Lazarus, and you consoled Mary and Martha in their distress. Draw near to us who mourn the loss of Bob, and dry the tears of all who weep. Calm our troubled hearts; dispel our doubts and fears. We thank you for bringing Bob to faith and giving him the gift of eternal life. Strengthen us with your Word and sacraments, and keep us in the saving faith until we are united with you and all the saints where you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.
Vocalist: Beautiful Savior, King of creation, Son of God and Son of Man!
Truly I’d love thee, truly I’d serve thee, light of my soul, my joy, my crown.
Fair are the meadows, fair are the woodlands, robed in flow’rs of blooming spring; Jesus is fairer, Jesus is purer, he makes our sorr’wing spirit sing.
Fair is the sunshine, fair is the moonlight, bright the sparkling stars on high; Jesus shines brighter, Jesus shines purer than all the angels in the sky.
Please join in singing the final stanza:
Text: Münsterisch Gesangbuch, Münster, 1677, abr.; tr. Joseph A. Seiss, 1823–1904. Tune: Silesian, 19th cent. Text and tune: Public domain.
READING Romans14:7-9
7 In fact, not one of us lives for himself, and not one dies for himself.
8 Indeed, if we live, we live for the Lord, and if we die, we die for the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. 9 For this reason he died, rose, and lived, to be Lord of both the dead and the living.
READING Luke2:25-32
25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, waiting for the comfort of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27 Moved by the Spirit he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what was customary according to the law, 28 Simeon took him into his arms and praised God. He said,
29 Lord, you now dismiss your servant in peace, according to your word,
30 because my eyes have seen your salvation,
31 which you have prepared before the face of all people,
32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.
Text: (st. 3) unknown, alt.; (sts. 1–2, 4): Daniel March, 1816–1909, sts. 1,2,4, abr., alt Tune: Joseph Barnby, 1838–1896. Text and tune: Public domain.
1In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple. 2Above him stood the seraphim. Each one had six wings. With two they covered their faces. With two they covered their feet. With two they flew. 3One called to another and said, Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Armies! The whole earth is full of his glory!
4The foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of the one who called, and the temple was filled with smoke.
5Then I said, “I am doomed! I am ruined, because I am a man with unclean lips, and I dwell among a people with unclean lips, and because my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of Armies!”
6Then one of the seraphim flew to me, carrying a glowing coal in his hand, which he had taken from the altar with tongs. 7He touched my mouth with the coal and said, “Look, this has touched your lips, so your guilt is taken away, and your sin is forgiven.”
8Then I heard the Lord’s voice, saying, “Whom shall I send? Who will go for us?”
Then I said, “Here I am. Send me!”
APOSTLES’CREED
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
PRAYER
Lord God, heavenly Father, you are always with us, especially when our hearts are heavy with grief. Send us your Spirit so that even as we grieve we are filled with hope. You have convinced us that your Son Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that our loved ones who have fallen asleep in Christ are resting in peace with you. Let nothing shake our confidence in your promise that we will be united with you and them in glory forever. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
What great mercy you have shown us, Father in heaven! Through your Son’s resurrection, our hope is alive and our inheritance is certain. The bliss and security we will enjoy in your presence are blessings that will never perish, spoil, or fade. Shield us with your power and give us faith to trust in you in every trial until we inherit the glorious riches you are keeping for us in heaven. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Gracious God, we see your abiding love in the kindness shown to us by family and friends. As we receive comfort and encouragement from others, we are experiencing your care. Help us bear all our burdens patiently. Be the strength of your people, now and in difficult days to come. Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
O Lord, support us all day long, till the shadows lengthen and the evening comes and the busy world is hushed and the fever of life is over and our work is done. Then, in your mercy, grant us a safe lodging and a holy rest and peace at the last; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
LORD’SPRAYER
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen.
BLESSING
The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you. The Lord look on you with favor and T give you peace.
Amen.
HYMN—My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less Christian Worship 563
Text: Edward Mote, 1797–1874, alt. Tune: John Stainer, 1840–1901, alt. Text and tune: Public domain.
After the memorial service, the family will proceed to the Grace columbarium for a brief committal service and inurnment. Friends are invited to a luncheon in the Fellowship Hall and may head there directly and begin eating following our service.
For those wishing to give a gift in memory of Bob, a memorial has been established in his name here at Grace.
Grace Lutheran Church
830 N. 1st Avenue, Tucson, AZ 85719
THOSEASSISTINGINWORSHIPTODAY
Minister ..................................................................................Pastor Nathan Kassulke
Accompanist ..............................................................................................Kathy Parra
Vocalist ................................................................................................Johneth Myrmo
Sound and Recording Technician.................................................... Jeremy Snavely
Cover Art.....................................................................................................Laura Lipke
Acknowledgements: Scripture readings are taken from The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version® (EHV®) © 2018 The Wartburg Project. All rights reserved. wartburgproject.org. Created by Christian Worship: Service Builder © 2026 Concordia Publishing House. Software distributed in partnership with Northwestern Publishing House.
BOB RENTSCHLER’S TIME OF GRACE
1937 - 2026
Robert Grier Rentschler was born October 13, 1937, the second son of Mary Ruth and John Frank Rentschler of Wheeling, West Virginia. Bob was made a child of God through Holy Baptism in October of 1938 at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Wheeling. He was confirmed and became a communicant member of the church on Palm Sunday, March 18, 1951.
Bob graduated from Triadelphia High School in 1955 and attended school for two years at West Virginia University. He joined the Army on October 28, 1958 and was trained to perform maintenance on the Nike Ajax Missile. After a little over three years of service, Bob was discharged from the Army in February 1962.
Following his military service, Bob lived in Tucson and joined Grace Lutheran Church by profession of faith. On June 4, 1964 Bob married Nadine Nelson, who was also a member of Grace. Their marriage was blessed by God with three daughters.
BobgraduatedfromtheUniversityofArizonawithanaccountingdegreein1967.Heworked for Anaconda Mining and for 26 years was an accountant at Hughes Aircraft. He also pursued interests in woodworking and furniture-building. He actively followed U of A football and basketball. He enjoyed four-wheeling in the southwest, learning about and visiting historic sites, photography, and exploring family genealogy.
Bob served in a variety of ways at Grace Lutheran Church. He was an usher for many years and served as an Elder, Financial Secretary, and Trustee. He was actively involved with outreach ministry, served on the Fellowship Hall Building Committee, built sets and decorations for Christmas programs and Vacation Bible School sessions, and oversaw the committee to locate a columbarium at Grace. In spite of various health issues, Bob attended worship and Bible study regularly.
Bob entered the hospital on Sunday, January 18. God called him to heaven the following morning. His earthly remains will be inurned in the Grace columbarium to await the resurrection. His brother, John “Jack” Rentschler, Jr., died within days of Bob’s passing. Bob was predeceased by both parents and is survived by wife Nadine Ann Rentschler, daughters Lynette Ruth Rentschler of Tucson, Amy Ann (David) Rudd of Tucson, and Melanie Kay RentschlerofDenver, andgranddaughterEmily Rose Rudd. Healso leaves behind tomourn his passing several cousins, nieces and nephews, and many friends.
The Lord blessed Bob Rentschler with a time of grace in this world of 88 years, 3 months, and 6 days.
Teach us to number our days in such a way that we bring a heart of wisdom.
Psalm 90:12