Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Update: Missing Man Found Dead in Lake

This was the outcome I was afraid of, due to the circumstances of his disappearance, his age, and the weather we've been having. The body of 77 year old retired priest Bruce Rahtjen was recovered from the lake he had been fishing in near Topeka, KS.

Rev. Rahtjen was well known and well regarded in the Kansas City area. He pastored St. Mary's Episcopal Church downtown, taught, was interested in preserving history, and was a writer.

Prayers and such for his wife and family, as well as those who knew him, I sure would be appreciated.

Read more here (Kansas City Star) and here (KSHB). Pic from KSHB.

2 comments:

Ann T. said...

Dear The Observer,
This is terribly sad, and I do wish his family well.

It is a terrible circumstance for those left behind to grieve. I hope they can take comfort that he was in a peaceful place, with sun, and lake and sky. If it will comfort them in this time of loss, I hope they think of it.

I offer my deep condolences to the Rahtjen family.

The Observer said...

Ann T:
I hope they can take that solace. There's potential for his wife to feel bad, as she was there in the area when he went missing. Hopefully the autopsy will be such that it will relieve her of any feelings of guilt. One of the photogs I link to on the photo blog knew him and wrote warmly of his love for the historical areas of town.

The Observer