Rev. Dr. J. Richard Hershberger

Dr. J. Richard Hershberger, Presbyterian minister, died on March 12, 2016. He was born on November 7, 1932 to Walter and Mabel (Yoder) Hershberger in Youngstown, Ohio. He graduated from Boardman High School (Boardman, Ohio) and Muskingum University (New Concord, Ohio), where he met Nelda Heitman Hershberger, his beloved wife of over 60 years. While at Muskingum, he was a member of the 1953 TKA National Champion debate team. Dr. Hershberger earned masters and doctorate degrees from Princeton Theological Seminary and from San Francisco Theological Seminary, respectively, and was awarded an honorary doctorate of public service degree from Muskingum in 2005. He served as a minister at First United Presbyterian Church (Denver, Colorado, now Green Mountain Presbyterian Church, Lakewood, Colorado) from 1957 to 1963, Second Presbyterian Church (Oklahoma City) from 1963 to 1968, and Westminster Presbyterian Church (Oklahoma City) from 1968 to 1999. Dr. Hershberger served as Moderator of the Presbyterian Synod of the Sun in Oklahoma and the Presbytery of Colorado and served on numerous committees of the Indian Nations Presbytery. After retiring in 1999, he volunteered his services for more than a decade at Hillcrest Presbyterian Church (Oklahoma City). As part of his ministry in Oklahoma, he established an inner-city program that became the Presbyterian Urban Ministry of the Indian Nations Presbytery and later the Urban Mission. He served on numerous boards, including the Boards of Trustees/Directors of Opportunities Industrialization Center of Oklahoma, World Neighbors, Infant Crisis Services, The Interfaith Alliance and the Center for Psychotherapy, Education, and Spiritual Growth (where he was President of the Board). He also served on the Institutional Review Board for Integris Hospitals. "Hersh," as he preferred to be called, was an avid fly fisherman and a "world class" volleyball player. He was a member of six teams that won the USA Volleyball National Championship Tournament and Senior Olympic Games, and he was selected to numerous All-American and All-Tournament Teams. He was predeceased by his parents, Walter and Mabel. He is survived by his wife Nelda of Yukon, Oklahoma, and his three children (and spouses): David (Debbie) of Oklahoma City; Stephanie of Oklahoma City; and Carrie (Stan) Baginski of Aurora, Illinois. His children believe that they are "oh-so-lucky" to have such a fine dad. He is also survived by his sisters Doty Armstrong of Maryville, Tennessee and Stephanie Hunsinger of Wakeman, Ohio, and three grandsons: Andy, Gabe and Christian Baginski of Aurora, Illinois, and one granddog, Yukon Cornelius of Oklahoma City. To share a memory or condolence, visit www.smithandkernke.com. Memorial services will be at 2 pm, Saturday, April 30, 2016, at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Oklahoma City. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to Westminster Presbyterian Church, Hillcrest Presbyterian Church, Opportunities Industrialization Center, World Neighbors, CurePSP or a charity of your choice.