Horace C. Lukens ’26

Luke, the last of the clergymen in the class, died of pneumonia Nov. 5, 1994, in Vienna, Va. Luke had served the Vienna Presbyterian Church as its pastor for 35 years before he retired in 1975.

Luke came from a strong Princeton background, with numerous alumni relatives. He also had an example in his father, the Rev. Frank (1890), who served the Burlington (N.J.) Presbyterian Church for 48 years. After graduation, Luke entered Princeton Theological Seminary, from which he received a Th.B degree in 1929. Luke then served as assistant pastor in several churches in Brooklyn and N.Y.C. This was during the Depression years, when life among the clergy was difficult.

During this time, Luke served his churches without pay. In 1940, two events changed the course of Luke's life. He accepted the call of a small Presbyterian church in Vienna as its pastor. And with his future thus secured, he married Lette Witherspoon, a Smith College graduate and former social worker. Together they played a prominent part in making the Vienna church into an outstanding regional church.

Luke gave strong support to many outside activities. These included the Salvation Army, the Faith at Work Movement, and the Presbytery of the Washington district, of which he served as moderator in 1947.

Lette (who died in 1985) and Luke are survived by a son, Horace C. Jr., and a daughter, Nancy, and by three grandchildren. To all of them, we extend our deep sympathy.