Van Deusen dies

Robert E. Van Deusen, who founded the Washington office of the National Lutheran Council's Division for Public Relations (later known as the Lutheran Council in the U.S.A.) in 1948 and headed it until 1975, died March 31 in Charlotte, N.C.His death came one day before his 90th birthday.

Known as "our man in Washington," Van Deusen was the Lutheran liaison to legislative offices and testified before congressional committees. He wrote the "Washington" column in The Lutheran of the United Lutheran Church in America from 1948 to 1960.

Born in St. Johnsonville, N.Y., he was the first student enrolled at Hartwick College (formerly ULCA), Oneonta, N.Y., in 1928. He served parishes in New York, Florida