Rev. Dr. Richard Paul Bode Obituary (1934

Rev. Dr. Richard Paul Bode, 79, of Emporia, Kansas passed away November 13, 2013 at Presbyterian Manor in Emporia, Kansas. Richard Paul Bode, the son of Reinhold and Adeline Bode, was born on April 6, 1934 in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota. For most of his childhood years Richard grew up and attended schools in Henning, Minnesota area. After graduating from high school, Richard attended Concordia College, St. Paul, Minnesota, graduating with an Associate of Arts degree. He then attended Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Missouri, receiving his Master of Arts degree. He continued his education at Concordia Seminary receiving his Master of Sacred Theology Degree and later his doctor of Theology Degree. He also studies for one year at Edinburgh University in Edinburgh, Scotland. He married Kathleen Peradotto on July 13, 1957. God blessed their marriage with the gift of one daughter. Richard and Kathy enjoyed 56 years of happy married life together. Growing up in the parsonage, Richard experienced the life of a pastor and his family throughout his childhood years. He had a great desire to serve his Lord and his church and so, following in his fathers footsteps, he committed himself to become a pastor. For the first twelve years of his ministry Pastor Bode, along with his wife Kathy, served as a missionary to the Philippine Islands in Leyte and Mindanao. Upon returning to the States he accepted a call to serve as pastor of St. Johns Lutheran Church in Hooker, Oklahoma and Grace Lutheran Church in Liberal, Kansas. During these years he also served vacancies in Hugoton, Kansas, Guymon, Oklahoma and Ellinwood, Kansas, as well as some surrounding communities. For ten years Pastor Bode served with the Lutheran Hour Ministry in Moscow, Russia, as well as Central Asia. Pastor Bode greatly enjoyed his time in the mission field and particularly enjoyed his time serving in Russia. Pastor Bode was a great theologian and was very adept at learning new languages. At one time he was proficient in six or seven different languages. Richard is survived by his wife, Kathleen, of the home; one daughter, Terry Rapp and her husband David, from Hooker, Oklahoma; one granddaughter, Amber Forrest of Kansas City, Missouri; one brother, Rev Dr. David Bode of Perham, Minnesota; and one sister, Mary Bogucki of Flint, Michigan. He was preceded in death by his parents a well as one brother, Robert. God, in His grace, has now granted Richard that heavenly home promised to him already at his baptism. Along with Richard we now await that glorious resurrection when we will see him again. Funeral services will be at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, November 19, 2013 at St. Johns Lutheran Church in Hooker, Oklahoma with Rev. Norbert Tegtmeir officiating. The family will meet friends at the funeral home on Monday, November 18, 2013 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.