Wesley D. Richard served God as a mission worker in Japan for 19 years, as a professor at Bluffton (Ohio) University for 20 years, and as a pastor and encourager throughout his life.
GOSHEN, Indiana (Mennonite Mission Network) — Wesley D. Richard’s "pastoral heart and generous kindness" left an enduring imprint on everyone who encountered him, said Mike Sherrill, executive director of Mennonite Mission Network. Wesley, 80, died of a brain hemorrhage on Oct. 6, at Elkhart (Indiana) General Hospital.
From 1963 to 1982, Wesley and his wife, Sue, served in Japan with Mennonite Board of Missions, a predecessor agency of Mennonite Mission Network. Both Richards worshiped and worked with the Shiroishi Mennonite Church, and Wesley taught English at Hokusei Gakuen University in Sapporo, on the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido.
Yorifumi Yaguchi, an internationally known poet who writes in both Japanese and English, said,
"Wesley Richard was deeply loved by his students. I know about it because I taught there with him."
Kazunari Tamura of Shiroishi Mennonite Church appreciated the many contributions the Richards made to his congregation, especially how they highlighted the role of women as an essential part of church ministry.
"They introduced us to the team ministry system," Tamura said. "We chose the [Richards] and two other couples. The pastoral team was organized based on couples rather than individuals because of the idea that the work of ministry should involve commitment of both the husband and the wife."
Before becoming Mission Network’s director for Asia, and later, executive director, Mike Sherrill served in Japan from 1991-2017 with his wife, Teresa. The Sherrills’ first assignments were on the island of Honshu. They moved to Sapporo 20 years after the Richards returned to the United States, but Sue and Wesley were "still fondly remembered among the Mennonite churches of Hokkaido," Mike Sherrill said.
When Sue and Wesley Richard returned to the United States in 1982, Wesley joined the communication faculty at Bluffton (Ohio) University where he taught for 20 years. He chaired the English department for 12 years, the communication department for six years, and served as interim dean of academic affairs.
While at Bluffton University, Sue and Wesley co-pastored at Elm Street Church of the Brethren in Lima, Ohio, from 1985-2011. Greg Garlock, retired chief of police, wrote a tribute about their community involvement during this time. "Pastor and Mrs. Richard were very supportive of our efforts in the Lima Police Department to implement community policing," Garlock wrote. "They allowed their church to be used for meetings that were helpful in bringing together representatives of the department and the neighborhood. I was always grateful for their time and effort."
After retiring, the couple settled in Goshen, Indiana, where Wesley was a member at West Goshen Church of the Brethren, participating as song leader, teacher, and deacon. Sue and Wesley frequently volunteered with Mission Network’s SOOP program (Service Opportunities with Our Partners) in various locations.
"I observed the curiosity and adventure Sue and Wesley brought to each assignment, a sense of ‘what will we learn this time,’" SOOP director Arloa Bontrager said. "They even extended one assignment by filling in as pastors when the pastor of a nearby church suffered a family tragedy."
Wesley was skilled in carpentry and often helped his children and others with home remodeling projects. He wrote an autobiography, Life’s Template: Memoirs of a Tentmaker.
Wesley Richard was born in 1939 to Glen and Margaret (Wenger) Richard and grew up near Wayland, Iowa. He married Sue Schlatter in 1961.
His parents preceded him in death. He is survived by Sue; a daughter, Crystal (Tom) Miller of Portland, Oregon; a son, Mark (Stephanie) Richard of Omaha, Nebraska; and four grandchildren. Also surviving are three siblings, Duane (Sherry) Richard of Ocala, Florida, Gloria (Gary) Graber of Freeman, South Dakota, and Lynn (Karen) Richard of Mount Pleasant, Iowa.
The funeral service was held on Oct.10 at West Goshen Church of the Brethren. Memorial gifts may be given to the SOOP program at Mennonite Mission Network, P.O. Box 370, Elkhart, IN 46515.
