Rev. Richard Hermstad

Rev. Richard Hermstad

Cedar Rapids

Rev. Richard Paul Hermstad, 82, a retired pastor in the Evangelical Church in America, died Nov. 14, 2023, at the Views of Marion, following a long illness. Born Feb. 1, 1941, in Minneapolis to James and Mabel Hermstad, he graduated from Augsburg College, Minneapolis, in 1963, and Luther Theological Seminary, St. Paul, in 1967. He was ordained into the Christian ministry in 1967.

Richard married Marilyn Larson in 1965, and with her at his side served parishes in Big Sandy and Box Elder, Montana; Cody, Wyo.; Coeur d’Alene, Idaho; and Manhattan, Kan. He later served as chaplain at Tacoma Lutheran Retirement Community in Tacoma, Wash., and as interim pastor at several churches in the Pacific Northwest. Community involvement through the years included volunteer firefighting, peace and justice work, and hospice chaplaincy. He enjoyed sailing on Lake Coeur d’Alene and in the Puget Sound and camping in Glacier Park. He loved many kinds of music and was a talented pianist. He could and would fill in at the keyboard at a moment’s notice at any function with or without sheet music. Teaching confirmation classes, adult forums and Bible study were favorite activities.

Richard is survived by Marilyn, his wife of 58 years, and children Kara (Richard) Rees, Kirsten Hermstad (Tim Jacobs) of Cedar Rapids, and Dr. Erik Hermstad (Hannah) of Fort Collins, Colo., as well as eight grandchildren and a brother, Robert Hermstad of Kalispel, Mont. A remembrance service will be held at Grand Living Retirement Community on Dec. 3 at 3 p.m. Memorials are preferred to the ELCA World Hunger Appeal through St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church in Cedar Rapids, Lutheran World Relief, or Doctors Without Borders.