Luther Raymond Vestergard, a multifaceted individual with a plethora of interests and abilities, entered this world on December 2, 1902, in the bustling metropolis of Chicago, Illinois, where his parents, Christian Vestergard and Maytha Heckel, welcomed him with open arms.
As a young lad, Luther spent his formative years within the city's boundaries, where he had the opportunity to attend local schools and lay the groundwork for his future academic endeavors.
These early years in the Windy City played a significant role in shaping Luther's intellectual curiosity and laying the foundation for his future accomplishments.
Luther's academic career was marked by a series of bold and ambitious decisions, as he chose to relocate to Los Angeles, California, immediately upon graduating, and enrolled at the prestigious University of Southern California.
In order to support himself financially, Luther took on a part-time job as an assistant deputy probation officer, demonstrating his commitment to his education and his willingness to work hard to achieve his goals.
Despite the challenges he faced, Luther remained dedicated to his studies, and his perseverance ultimately led him to Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where he had the opportunity to study law.
However, fate had other plans, and Luther's academic journey was cut short after only two years due to financial constraints.
Paul Power, the stage name adopted by Luther, made a triumphant return to Los Angeles in 1926, marking the beginning of a remarkable acting career that would span over four decades.
His early endeavors consisted of a series of 2-reel silent comedies, cleverly adapted from the beloved comic strip "Winnie Winkle, the Bread Winner".
Notable among his extensive repertoire of cinematic performances was a pivotal role in the Christian film "Oil Town U.S.A.", which afforded him the unique opportunity to collaborate with his close friend, the renowned evangelist Billy Graham. Throughout his personal life, Luther's relationships were marked by two marriages and subsequent divorces, with no documented evidence of him having any offspring. Additionally, he displayed a remarkable sense of devotion to his mother, who was rendered bedridden as a result of a traffic accident, and dedicated himself to her care during the final four years of her life, showcasing his unwavering dedication to family and compassion.
Luther's impressive resume extends far beyond his acclaimed acting career, as he devoted a significant amount of time and energy to his role as a dedicated lay minister. In this capacity, he served as an assistant pastor and, at various points, even took on the responsibilities of interim pastor at Saint Matthews Lutheran Church. Furthermore, Luther would occasionally venture into the realm of ceremonial duties, conducting services at local movie studios and lending his spiritual guidance to funeral services held at the Motion Pictures Home in Calabasas, California.
As his commitment to his faith continued to deepen, Luther joined the Hollywood Christian Group in 1949, thereby strengthening his ties to the Christian community and further demonstrating the profound impact that his religious beliefs had on his life and career.
Luther Raymond Vestergard's life, marked by its share of challenges and obstacles, ultimately drew to a close on April 5, 1968, at the Hollywood West Hospital, a somber reminder of the fragility of human existence.
