[Oe List ...] Celebrating the completed life of Guardian Richard Galbreath

[John Ballard]

“Called to live in the Word and be free to live for others”.   

 

Dear, dear Dick.  We receive the news of his passing with great sadness.  When we first met Dick Galbreath nearly 50 years ago, he was friendly, smiling, distinguished (in his Navy uniform) and gracious.  Since then, we have always found Dick to be so.  In addition, he showed his interest in so many endeavors and was into just about every unique thing imaginable.  I remember, our son, Peter, was gifted by Dick with a war club that he had crafted of found materials.  One of our kids ran his Jeep into a tree in the woods one summer.  It seemed to be Dick’s idea that kids who didn’t know how to drive, be given the chance to try it.  In Diane and Dick’s pre-Civil War home, we could find almost any object you could imagine, reflecting the long history of that site.  On our last visit to them in southern VA a few years ago, Dick demonstrated his potato cannon, hurling potatoes across their fields into the woods with great enjoyment.  And.… he revealed his secret to making perfect hard-boiled eggs.  He seemed interested in everything.  And loved to share that.  Yet below all that, was someone who was convicted.  He and Diane were so helpful to us as we established the Richmond House in 1973.  Giving generously of their time, resources. and influence.  Lynda has recounted so many other ways he contributed to our work.  Then, in retirement, he became a UMC minister and served in several churches in southern VA.  He was a man of service and love.  We celebrate his life indeed.

 

May grace surround Diane and his dear family.

With gratitude,

Louise and Jack

 

From: OE <oe-bounces at lists.wedgeblade.net> On Behalf Of Lynda C via OE
Sent: Tuesday, April 26, 2022 1:47 PM
To: OE List <OE at lists.wedgeblade.net>
Cc: Lynda C <lynda860 at outlook.com>
Subject: [Oe List ...] Celebrating the completed life of Guardian Richard Galbreath

 

https://www.mcmillianfuneralhome.com/obits   

 

My sister Diane and her husband Richard were instrumental in our being on the OE journey.  John was in his first assignment after seminary, in Asheville, NC’s Central UMC as associate pastor and minister of adult and youth formation.  

Diane and Dick were active laypersons in the Reveille UMC in Richmond, VA and suggested our names when their church was on a  search for a minister of education.  There, John was visited by Carl Ennis and Bill Newkirk about a new course for clergy, which really excited John.  He recruited a fairly large Parish Leadership Colloquy (PLC) of fellow ministers in the area.  Jim Addington and George Holcombe were our convincing pedagogues, who were being hosted by at the home of Diane and Dick.  Shortly thereafter John recruited and we both attended the RS-I for laypersons taught by Marilyn Miller and Phil Townley.  Shortly after that (all in the space of 5 months). we had a house and car sale and headed to Chicago for an intern year. Diane and Dick stored what possessions we were not ready to part with yet in their basement.  What love is that !  (particularly since Diane was about 5 months pregnant).  

 

During several summers, they also helped with the care of our son Johnny, and then later added Jeremiah to their summer visitors.  They were active in the set-up of the Richmond Religious House, Petersburg, VA community work and Youth Forums, LENS treks, Guardian events, and several HDP consults.  

 

With love for our dear brother-in-law and brother-in-spirit and fellow journer and his dear wife, my sister.

 

What a connection!!! 

 

Lynda and John Cock

 

 

 

 

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