The Rev. Dr. Arvids Ziedonis Jr., 86, formerly of Bethlehem, Fountain Hill, of Paradise Township. died June 26, 2017, in St. Clares Hospital, Dover, N.J.

He was the husband of the late Zigrida M. (Vurlicer) Ziedonis who died in 2013.

Born March 8, 1931 in Daugavpils, Latvia, he was the son of the late Arvids Ziedonis Sr. and Maria (Kostakavich).

A 1955 graduate from Muhlenberg College, Allentown, he was ordained at the Philadelphia Theological Seminary in 1958.

His first call was at Holy Trinity Church, Steelton in 1958.

He then received a call to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Fountain Hill, in 1962, and also became a professor at Muhlenberg College, creating the Russian Studies Department and teaching language, literature and religion.

His Ph.D was received from the University of Pennsylvania in 1968.

Instrumental in building the new St. Paul’s Lutheran Church building, he then received a call to Morgenland Lutheran Church, Orefield, where he continued with building a new church in 1974.

In 1968, he was called as pastor with the Latvian Lutheran Church, Wilmington, Del.

In 1970, he was called as pastor with Latvian Lutheran Church in the Quakertown/Lancaster congregation along with serving as pastor of Morgenland Lutheran Church for 25 years.

Belovedly known as “Dr. Z”, he taught at Muhlenberg College for 40 years.

His legacy was beyond his ministry of long-term pastorates, building two churches, 59 years of ordained ministry, teaching at Muhlenberg College and in Riga, Lativia.

Nine books and journals were a huge part of his life and legacy which was a testament to his legacy of inspiration and love.

He will be remembered by so many for his vision in life and positive outlook.

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

His legacy at Muhlenberg College will live on through his teaching, students, and wonderful memories.

His survivors include loving children Dr. Douglas M. Ziedonis and his wife, Patrice, of San Diego, Calif., and their children Michelle and Mason; the Rev. Dr. Ruth S. Ziedonis, Eric A. Ziedonis, all of Cresco; sister Ilga Ziedonis-Johnson of Baltimore, Md.

Expressions of sympathy may be made at heintzelmancares.com.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Living Nature Tree Memorial to be placed at Muhlenberg College.

Make checks payable to the Muhlenberg College, c/o the funeral home, 326 Main St., Hellertown, PA 18055.

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