We pray for Patrick Burns and the friends and family of Rev. Richard Andersen, who passed away on Sunday, June 2, surrounded by friends and family. Rest eternal grant to him, O Lord; and let light perpetual shine upon him.
Rev. Richard Andersen’s memorial service will be at Ascension Lutheran, Paradise Valley on Friday, June 21 at 3 pm. Clergy are invited to process: gather at 2:45, the color of the day is white.
Richard Andersen was born in Iowa and grew up in Minnesota. He was a Vietnam veteran and a graduate of the University of Minnesota and Luther Seminary. He initially helped construct the ARC Retreat Center in Minnesota.
He served as pastor at Watson Immanuel Lutheran churches in southwestern Minnesota. Later, he was Executive Director of the Foundation of St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church, Mahtomedi, Minnesota, while also serving as interim pastor at St. Paul-Reformation Lutheran Church in the city of St. Paul.
In 1991, Richard began a successful fifteen-year career at Thrivent Financial. He co-founded a Minnesota non-profit called Third Act Ministries which served groups of people as they individually considered ways in which to transform their lives. Before coming to Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center, Richard was called by the ELCA to be Director of Congregational Relations and Senior Major Gifts Officer for Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota (LSS).
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