Wayne Pfundstein Memorial Scholarship

In terms of CLU’s history, Wayne Pfundstein was a genuine giant. He was there when the institution took its first breath and remained loyal until his own death. But he was a quiet man and never pushed himself to the forefront. He was so unassuming that few U students ever had the opportunity to meet him, but perhaps those who receive his scholarship will meet him through this story.

Wayne Pfundstein was two things through and through—a solid Lutheran and an exceptional accountant. During his 94 years of life, he managed to combine the two interests into a lifetime of service. In fact, he and Pastor Eddie Spier were largely credited with the growth of the Lutheran Church on the West Coast after World War II.

Wayne and his wife Lillian were active members of St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church in Van Nuys. Wayne had been part of the “dream team” that envisioned a Lutheran college in Southern California. He became one of CLU’s founders, serving as both CLU Convocator and member of the board of regents in the early 1960s. At the 1996 observance of National Philanthropy Day in Santa Barbara, CLU honored him as “Outstanding Founder.”

Professionally, Wayne had several careers—all of them as an accountant. After serving 22 years as a public accountant for the State of California, he became controller for the California Synod of the United Lutheran Church in America (ULCA) and later controller for the Pacific Southwest Synod of the Lutheran Church in America (LCA). Even after his retirement, Wayne continued to work on income taxes for several pastors.

Wayne lost Lillian, the love of his life, in 1975. He died in 2002. Through a bequest from his estate, CLU received two significant gifts—a generous contribution to the Segerhammar Center for Faith and Culture and an endowment gift to establish the Wayne Pfundstein Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship is awarded annually to a deserving undergraduate or graduate student.