The Reverend E.W. Richter

Pastor Eldor William “Rick” Richter lived his life based on this Bible verse. He was born on the Feast of Epiphany, January 6, 1932 in Lewiston, MN. He was the youngest of five children born to Herman W. and Augusta (Janzow) Richter. He grew up in rural America, learning at an early age that perseverance and taking responsibility were necessary to meet the challenges of life. He also developed an appreciation for God’s creation and participated in sports and activities that allowed him to enjoy the great outdoors.

Pastor Richter received his elementary education at Immanuel Lutheran School, Lewiston, MN. He continued his education at Concordia Junior College in St. Paul, MN. Upon graduation, he entered Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, MO receiving his Bachelor of Arts in 1954. His vicarage training was at St. John the Divine Lutheran Church in South Chicago. He graduated from the Seminary in 1957 with a Master of Divinity Degree.

On September 2, 1956, Pastor Rick and his beloved Mary Annette Nagy were united in Holy Matrimony with Ruth 1:16 as their wedding verse. The good LORD blessed them with three dearly loved daughters: Faith Marie, Hope Suzanne and Beth Janine.

Pastor Richter accepted his first Call from the Holy Spirit to serve as Missionary-at-Large and Pastor of St. Michael’s Lutheran Church in Doraville, GA where he was also ordained a Lutheran (LCMS) Minister of the Gospel. Future congregations he was Called to include: Bethany Lutheran Church, Lake City, MN, Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Anita, IA, Trinity Lutheran Church, Clinton, IA, and Hope Lutheran Church in St. Louis, MO. In 1989, Pastor Richter accepted the Call to be Senior Pastor of St. Peter Lutheran Church in Arlington Heights, IL.

By the Grace of God, Pastor Richter faithfully served in ministry to God’s people for 40 years and an additional 17 years during his semi-retirement where he assisted the pastoral ministry at St. Peter Lutheran Church, Schaumburg, IL. Mary says of her husband that Pastor served the youngest to the oldest; those in need and those with abundance; urban, suburban, and rural communities; those in great despair and those experiencing great joy. He has been a man for all seasons, proclaiming the comfort, hope, and salvation in Jesus (Yeshua) the Messiah, Him crucified (for the sins of the whole world) and resurrected, “Christus Victor!”

At the age of 79, his heart to share the Word of God is reflected in the book he authored titled "Comparing the Qur’an and the Bible". Until the very end of his earthly life and ministry, Pastor Richter continued to share the unconditional love of God in Christ giving extemporaneous prayers and the Aaronic Blessing.

Surviving Pastor Richter is his wife, Mary, their daughters: Faith, Hope (son-in-law Keith Chapman), and Beth; grandchildren: Grant Chapman (Emily), Reid Chapman, and Rose Richter in addition to many (grand) nephews and nieces whom he prayed for daily by name and who are family of his dear late sisters: Dorothy (Clarence) Zabel, Esther (Lenhard) Marxhausen, Adeline (Gregory) Luehr and late bruder Erwin (Betty) Richter. He loved the family with all his heart! “Bless the LORD, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His Holy Name!” Psalm 103:1.

Our Heavenly Father called His redeemed child, Rick, home to a sure and certain Hope of eternal life on May 04, 2025 granting him Psalm 27:4, “One thing I ask from the LORD, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and to seek Him in His temple.”

A Celebration of Life worship service will be held at St. Peter Lutheran Church, Schaumburg, IL on Saturday, May 17 at 1:30 PM. Visitation with family and friends will begin at 11:30 AM. Internment will follow at the church cemetery site. For those unable to attend, the service will be live streamed at stpeterlcms.org/funerals

In lieu of flowers, Memorial/Donations may be gifted in support of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis (csl.edu), The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI.org) and/or Samaritan’s Purse (samaritanspurse.org)