The Rev. Dr. John David Newpher, of Ambler, Pennsylvania, died on May 22, 2010 at the age of  90.

Born March 28, 1920 in Reading, PA (South Temple), the seventh and youngest child of James H. Newpher and Emily Becker (Ludwig) Newpher of Reading, he was a Lutheran minister who served several parishes in Pennsylvania and New Jersey in his career and was president of The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia from 1971 to 1975.

On May 15, 1943, he married Gladys Mae Hoover of Hyde Villa, Reading, PA, They divorced in 1974. 

Ordained in 1945 by the Ministerium of Pennsylvania after earning a bachelor of divinity degree from the seminary, he worked a year as a fellow at the seminary and also earned a Masters of Sacred Theology.  In 1946 Dr. Newpher was called to a two-point parish in Audenreid and Beaver Meadows in northeastern Pennsylvania from 1946 to 1948.  He was then called as pastor to Christ, Fairview, Camden, New Jersey, from 1948 to 1953.  He later served Ascension Church on the seminary campus in Philadelphia as pastor from 1953 to 1961.  During this time he also served as dean of the Northwest Philadelphia District of the Synod.  Also during this time he earned his doctorate in Sacred Theology from Temple University in Philadelphia in 1958.  He was called as pastor to Christ, Oreland, PA, from 1961 to 1971; and St. John in Slatington, PA, from 1975 until 1985 when he retired from the active ministry.

He married Suzanne Eble (nee Van Arsdale), of Oreland, March 22, 1975. 

He became a member of Upper Dublin Lutheran Church in Ambler, PA and served on the board of Ken-Crest, a church related community organization, for many years during his retirement.

He is survived by his wife Suzanne of 35 years, his children, sons John Newpher (Jan) of Sheffield, VT, Peter NewDay (Timothy) of Westport, WA, and daughters Valerie Newpher and her husband Stephen Lockard of Upper Darby, PA, and Pamela and her husband Edward and his step children, daughter Karen and Chuck Dickter, daughter Sandra and Will O'Brien, son Louis and wife Jennifer Eble and the late Thomas Eble as well as 16 grandchildren, and 8 great-grandchildren.

Dr. Newpher loved all sports including professional football and baseball, Temple football and basketball, and attended Philadelphia Phillies games whenever he could.  He played softball, tennis, and badmitten for as long as he was able.  He also enjoyed reading, traveling and playing bridge.

Services to be held at Upper Dublin Lutheran Church on Thursday May 27, 2010 at 11am, 411 Susquehanna Ave, Ambler PA.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to KenCrest, 502 W Germantown Pike, Suite 200, Plymouth Meeting PA 19462 or to the Social Ministry Committee of Upper Dublin Lutheran Church.