Dr. Fred Lutz Casmir, Distinguished Professor Emeritus at Pepperdine University, author, and preacher of the Word, entered into the New Jerusalem on June 23, 2024 at age 95.

He is survived by: his wife, Mina Casmir; daughter, Karen Long; and son, Fred O. Casmir all of Flagstaff. He is also survived by 5 grandchildren; 8 great grandchildren and 1 great great grandson:

Grandchildren:  Paul Safian of North Hills, CA; Jacob Casmir of Prosper, TX; Dawn Geluso of Olympia, WA; Adam Long of Olympia, WA; Skylar Long of Willow Creek, CA

Great grandchildren:  Mason Safian of Palmdale, CA; Bryson Casmir, Ryan Casmir, McKenna Toporek, and Morgan Toporek of TX; Gordon Hagerman of Olympia, WA; Apollo Long and Madison Long of Willow Creek, CA

Great great grandson Zachariah Casmir of Celina, TX.

Born in Koepenick, an eastern suburb of Berlin, Germany on December 30, 1928, to Artur and Gertrud Casmir, Fred grew up during difficult war years in Germany.  He was a leader in the Hitler Youth until he was drafted into the Luftwaffe (German Airforce) at 16.  He fought on the eastern front and escaped to the West at the end of the WW II.  Missionaries of the churches of Christ sent him to Lipscomb College, Nashville, TN for an undergraduate degree in speech and preaching.  He returned as a missionary to Germany where he married Marjorie Rogers.  He was sent back to the USA for a masters and PhD in Speech Communication and psychology at The Ohio State University.  After completing his degrees, he stayed in the USA starting as an Instructor at Pepperdine College in CA until the end of his career as a Distinguished Professor at Pepperdine University in 1999.  During these 4 decades he also taught in the CA university system and served as a preacher for small churches in the Greater LA area.   During his service at Pepperdine University, he mainly taught classes in the communication division, developing a series of new programs including Public Relations and International Studies.

Fred's passions were creating new programs throughout his professional career and bringing young people to Christ.  His lecture, "From the Swastika to the Cross" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLrDTfdpI0E&ab_channel=GaryTucker has been heard by some 90,000 individuals in a variety of small and large venues throughout the USA.  He also served in a number of leadership roles in state and national politics including LA County Treasurer of the Republican Party, candidate for Congress, advisor to then Governor Reagan, as Senior Advisor for the American Delegation at the UNESCO World Conference in Mexico City, as well as serving on a number of task forces during Governor and President Reagan's tenure.

Fred is known as one of the founding fathers of the academic field of Intercultural Communication.  He is best known for his "Third Culture Building Theory."   He was responsible for starting the first national journal and editing one of the first books for the field.  He authored, edited or contributed to some 24 books – some published in Germany, Italy, Poland, Australia and India.  His publications included some 90 articles in professional journals as well as presentations at major national and international conferences.

Fred and his second wife, Mina, retired to Flagstaff where he served first the Northland church of Christ and then the Northern Arizona church of Christ in a variety of capacities such as Personnel Chair/Committee member, teacher, Campus Ministry Chair and filling in as a preacher when needed.  He also volunteered as a docent at the Museum of Northern Arizona.

Fred raised collies, was licensed as a glider pilot, played the accordion, constructed a model railroad, enjoyed gardening and never stopped mentoring youth.  Many of his former students remained close but his joy was his service to the Lord and introducing his brother, Jesus, to others.  As he closed all his correspondence

In His Service

Fred

A Celebration of Fred's life will be Saturday, July 13th at 10:00 am at Norvel Owens Mortuary, 914 E. Rt. 66, Flagstaff, AZ  86001

Live streaming can be accessed by: https://facebook.com/events/s/dr-fred-l-casmir-celebration-o/849221043773898/

You can also post condolences:   messages, videos and/or pictures on www.norvelowensmortuary.com

In Lieu of flowers and cards, please consider contributing to one of the following local non-profits in Fred's name:

High Country Humane Shelter

11665 US 89   Flagstaff, AZ  86004

https://ppnaz.networkforgood.com/

Northern Arizona church of Christ Youth Program

PO Box 3556 Flagstaff, AZ  86003

Museum of Northern Arizona

3101 N. Fort Valley Rd   Flagstaff, AZ  86001

https://musnaz.org/donate/