Richard A. Moe

The Rev. Richard A. Moe, of East Lansing, died January 27, 2021. He was born January 12, 1949, to Arnold and Ramona (Richardson) Moe of Lake Mills, Iowa. He graduated from St. Olaf College in 1971, then in 1983 from Wartburg Theological Seminary with an M. Div. degree. He served as pastor

for 20 years at Trinity Lutheran Church, Fremont, Ohio, while also serving as chaplain at St. Francis Nursing Home and Rehabilitation Hospital in Green Springs, Ohio. Following that he served for 10 years as pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church in East Lansing.

Despite a serious physical handicap, Rich led a full and productive life, with the encouragement of supportive family and friends and good old Norwegian stubbornness. He enjoyed meeting new people,

which was apparent in his ministry, and had an unfailingly cheerful and infectiously positive outlook. He was a role model for many, of humility, concern for others, and quiet courage.

He was an enthusiastic volunteer in numerous organizations. He served as a docent at the Steam

Railroading Institute in Owosso, as a teacher at Friendship House MSU (a Lutheran ministry for international students), and as a board member for Alison House (housing for handicapped young people to live independently). He also sang in the Steiner Chorale. He loved classical music and singing, although his chief recreation focused on trains, railroad history, and a model train layout.

He is survived by his wife, Barbara Paff, two brothers, Eric (Esther) and Luther (both of Texas), a

sister, Cynthia (Tim) White (of Nebraska), and eight nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be sent to St. Paul Lutheran Church, or to any of the above-mentioned organizations in which Rich volunteered.

A memorial service will be held for immediate family on October 9 at 11:00 AM, at University Lutheran Church. Due to Covid, the service will be livestreamed for friends, and for family living far away, at https://www.facebook.com/University.Lutheran.Church.ELCA