The Reverend Dr. Arvids Ziedonis Jr., 86, formerly of Bethlehem and Fountain Hill, of Paradise Township, died June 26, 2017, at St. Clare’ Hospital, Dover, N.J. Born in Daugavpils, Latvia, he was a son of the late Arvids Ziedonis Sr. and Maria (Kostakavich). He was the husband of the late Zigrida M. (Vurlicer) Ziedonis.

He was a 1955 graduate of Muhlenberg College. He was, in1958, ordained as a Lutheran minister from the Philadelphia Theological Seminary. He earned, in 1968, a Doctor of Philosophy degree from the University of Pennsylvania.

He was a language, literature, and religion professor for 40 years at Muhlenberg College, where he created the Russian Studies department. He taught in Riga, Latvia.

He was a Lutheran minister for 59 years, beginning with his first call to Holy Trinity Church, Steelton; and followed by calls to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Fountain Hill, and Morgenland Lutheran Church, Orefield, where he was instrumental in the building of new churches at both locations. He was the pastor of Latvian Lutheran Churches in Wilmington, Delaware, and of the Quakertown/Lancaster congregation.

He was variously a member of Latvian Lutheran Church of Quakertown / Lancaster, St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Applebachsville, and of Morgenland Lutheran Church, Orefield.

He is survived by three children, Dr. Douglas M. and his wife Patrice of San Diego, Calif. and their children Michelle and Mason; the Rev. Dr. Ruth S., and Eric A., all of Cresco; and a sister, Ilga Ziedonis-Johnson of Baltimore, Md.

Contributions may be made to the Living Nature Tree Memorial to be placed at Muhlenberg College. Make checks payable to Muhlenberg College, c/o the funeral home, 326 Main St., Hellertown, PA 18055.

Arrangements were made by Heintzelman Funeral Home Inc., Hellertown.