Rev. Dr. Richard C. North

Rev. Dr. Richard C. North, age 87, left this world to enter the eternal realm August 8, 2022. He was a resident of Brookhaven Retirement Community in Brookville, Ohio for the past two and a half years. Preceding that, he pastored 56 years, serving many congregations, including 13 years as chaplain of Hill View Retirement Center in Portsmouth, Ohio.  During his ministry at Hill View, he earned his Doctor of Ministries degree at United Theological seminary in Dayton. He earned the distinction of being the oldest Doctoral program graduate, just shy of his 83^rd birthday.  Reverend North served the Christ United Methodist Church, a merger of the Sciotoville/New Boston congregations, for nearly eighteen years. He also served as Spiritual Director for the Greater Scioto Valley Emmaus Community several times. His gravestone is inscribed with, ‘Preacher, Teacher, Singer of the Gospel’, reflecting his passion for all three areas of his ministry.  Surviving are his wife, Pat, and children: son Steve, of Toledo, Ohio; Jim (wife Rhoda) of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; daughter Shellie (Rev. John Richards) of Eaton, Ohio; son David (wife Debbie) of Blue Springs, Missouri, and beloved Lyn of Fremont, Ohio, as well as grandchildren Phoebe, Evie, Jason, Johanna, Jennifer, Lauren, Jonathan, Jonny, and Steven; step-grandsons Jason and Sean; and also, six great-grandchildren comprise the family tree.  Visitation for Richard will be held 11:00 am on Saturday, August 27, 2022 at Christ United Methodist Church, 5725 Gallia Street, Portsmouth, OH, followed by a Memorial Service at 1:00 pm.  Gard Funeral Home, Eaton is assisting with arrangements.  Memorial contributions may be made to Christ UMC, Sciotoville, Ohio, or Hill View Retirement Center, Portsmouth, Ohio. Online condolences and other remembrances may be sent to the family by visiting www.gardfuneralhome.com.