The Rev. Richard R. Boyer

THE REV. RICHARD ROBERT “RIP” BOYER

Richard Robert Boyer was born in Columbus, OH, on September 6, 1930.  He grew up in Laureldale, PA, the son of Ralph A. Jr. and Elsie E. (Long) Boyer.  He was the brother of the Rev. Dr. Ralph A. Boyer III.

Richard was graduated from Muhlenberg Township High School in 1948, having served as class president each year.  He was in State Chorus in 1947 and excelled in high jump at two State Track Meets.  He was awarded a full-tuition scholarship to Muhlenberg College.  From age 16, Richard worked eight summers straight selling Fuller Brushes door-to-door.  During August, 1954, he led the Eastern United States in sales.

Richard was graduated Magna Cum Laude from Muhlenberg in 1952, having served as president of Eta Sigma Phi (the national honorary classical languages fraternity), was co-captain of the varsity track team, and member of the Pre-Theological Society, in anticipation of entering seminary.

Richard married Ruth Eileen Trexler in Calvary Lutheran Church, Laureldale, on August 2, 1952.  He began his study for the Ordained Ministry that autumn at the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia (Mt. Airy).  In addition to his studies for his Master of Divinity (MDiv) degree, he completed fourteen credit hours in Sociology at the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School, as well as an undergraduate course in Spanish, in anticipation of future missionary work.  He was graduated from seminary and was ordained in 1955. Richard’s missionary work began the following year, having been called to be Pastor of the Lutheran congregation in Berisso, Argentina, and to start a new Lutheran congregation in LaPlata.  Having completed his missionary work in Argentina, he returned to the States at the end of 1957.

Richard served as Pastor of Grace Lutheran Church, Bethlehem, from 1958 to 1972. 

While in Bethlehem, he served on the Board of Home Missions of the Eastern Pennsylvania Synod, Lutheran Church in America.

Trinity Lutheran Church, Bangor, PA, was Richard’s next Pastorate, serving from 1972 to 1985.  During this time, he served on the World Missions Committee of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod, LCA. From 1985 to 1991, Richard served as Pastor of the Lutheran parish of Belleman’s and St. Timothy’s, Mohrsville, PA.  Richard then served as Pastor of St. John’s Lutheran Church, Mahoning Valley, PA, from 1991 to 1999.  Having served over 44 years in ordained ministry, he retired on July 31, 1999.  In retirement, he greatly enjoyed getting together with family and friends, collecting and studying rocks and minerals, and world travel, visiting 97 countries at last count.  He celebrated his 65th  Anniversary of Ordination in 2020.  Richard died on July 25, 2021.

Richard and Ruth were blessed with four children, Michael R. (Linda), The Rev. Timothy D. (Catherine), Deborah L. Buzzard (The Rev. Paul), and Rebekah R. McFadden (Sean). ​

Sadly, Ruth died of cancer in 1993.  Richard married Joan (Hansen) Neumann in 1998. Sadly, Joan died of cancer in 2003.  Richard married Emily (Peknik) Whitman in 2003; they would have celebrated 18 years together on December 20th.  Survivors also include grandchildren Nicholas Boyer, Douglas Boyer, Larissa Newton, Jeremy Boyer, Victoria McKee, Rachel Johnson, Joshua Buzzard, Heidi Kalabisko, Megan Buzzard, Molly McFadden, and Bridget McFadden, and great-grandchildren Caleb, Riley, Kadence, Tyler, Hanna, Dylan, Ephraim, Luke, Samuel, Ella, and Hazel.

Services will be held Saturday, July 31st at 10 a.m. at Calvary Lutheran Church, 1009 Elizabeth Avenue, Laureldale, PA 19605.  A viewing will be held from 9-10 a.m. at the church.  Burial will be at Forest Hills Memorial Park, Exeter Township.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: St. John's Lutheran Church, 18 S. 3rd St., Coplay, PA 18037 and/or St. Michael's Lutheran Church, 529 Saint Michaels Rd., Hamburg, PA 19526, or any of the churches Richard served.

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