*Richard Gordon Matson, 82, of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, died of cancer Dec. 10, 2014 under the care of Hospice of North Idaho. Dick was born Nov. 14, 1932 in Eau Claire, Wis. to Blanche K. and Laverne “Rocky” Rockwell. He was later adopted by his stepfather, Roy H. Matson. Dick was baptized at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Eau Claire, and was confirmed at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Whitehall, Wis.

He graduated Valedictorian from Central High School, Strum, Wis., in 1951; from St. Olaf College, Northfield, Minn., with a bachelor of arts degree in 1959; and from Luther Theological Seminary, St. Paul, Minn., with a master of divinity degree in 1964. He was ordained at Strum Lutheran Church, Strum, Wis., his home town church. He studied pipe organ and theology for one year at Tübingen University in Germany.

Dick served ship-board as a radar man in the U.S. Navy for four years, stationed out of San Diego during the Korean War. While serving in the military, he sensed God’s calling to Christian Ministry. In June 2014, Dick celebrated 50 years in pastoral ministry. He served Valier Lutheran Church, Valier, Mont.; Faith Lutheran Church, Great Falls, Mont.; La Jolla Lutheran Church, La Jolla, Calif.; Resurrection Lutheran Church, Torrance, Calif.; San Vicente Community Church, Ramona, Calif.; Solana Beach Presbyterian Church, Solana Beach, Calif.; Trinity Lutheran Church, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho; Clark Fork Lutheran Church, Clark Fork, Idaho; and St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, Hayden, Idaho. Additionally, he served in music ministry at Strum Lutheran Church; in St. Paul, Minn. churches; at four churches in the San Diego area; and at Trinity Lutheran Church in Coeur d’Alene.

Alongside his ministry in churches, Dick at one point directed Oak Glen, a California residential facility addressing the needs of troubled girls. He also launched a chaplaincy program at the Green Hospital of Scripps Clinic and Research Foundation in La Jolla, Calif. – and served five years as its first chaplain.

Dick’s overall passion in life has been to grow in his own relationship to Jesus Christ, and to help others to do the same. Teaching and preaching God’s Word have been his joy. His life and ministry have been significantly impacted by the truths of the Bible, by Campus Crusade for Christ’s training in personal evangelism, by Yoke Fellows Prison Ministry, and by the writings of Oswald Chambers and Eugene Peterson.

Dick is survived by his wife of 46 years, Pat Miller Matson; his two daughters: Ann Conte and husband Aaron, and Kari Neff and husband Harry; three brothers, Jim and wife Carol, Fred and wife Dianne, and Erik and wife Kathleen; six grandchildren: Laura, Caroline, Sarah, and Mason Conte, and Francis and Callen Neff; nieces and nephews; cousins; stepmother, Roseanne Rockwell MacMillan; and many friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be offered to either of the churches hosting Dick’s memorial services, or to the Union Gospel Mission, Spokane, Wash.

Although saddened by the loss of Dick, family and friends rejoice in the truth of the psalmist’s words: “You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.”