The Rev. Dr. Richard A. Ward, age 80, of Aberdeen, died Wednesday, September 26, 2012, in Aberdeen. His memorial service will be at 2 PM Monday, October 1, 2012, at First United Methodist Church in Aberdeen with the Rev. Eldon Reich officiating. Burial will be in the Mountain Meadow Cemetery near Deadwood. There will be no visitation. Memorials may be directed to Habitat for Humanity or First United Methodist Church in Aberdeen.
Richard Allen Ward was born June 26, 1932 at Dell Rapids, South Dakota to Guy and Ethel Ward. He graduated from Dell Rapids High School, Dakota Wesleyan University and Iliff School of Theology. He earned a doctorate from North American Seminary and received an honorary doctorate from Dakota Wesleyan University.
Dr. Ward served as a pastor for 31 years in Draper-Vivian, Tripp-Delmont, Deadwood, Aberdeen, Rapid City and Huron. He served on the YWCA boards in Aberdeen and Rapid City. Dr. Ward was a member of Toastmasters, serving twice as the District Governor for South Dakota, and as an International Director. He was a member of the South Dakota branch of the American Cancer Society, the South Dakota Mental Health Association and had served as president of that organization for two years. He served on the President’s Committee on Aging, the White House Fellows Selection Committee, and was the executive director for Aberdeen Habitat for Humanity.
Dr. Ward preached in many churches across the United States, England, Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga. He was an adjunct professor at Black Hills State University, National College, USD, Huron University and Presentation College.
He married Lois Ruth Davis in Lemmon, South Dakota on July 29, 1956. They lived in California, Virginia, Guam, Colorado and South Dakota. He spent ten years as a medic in the Navy, including serving in Korea. Dr. Ward was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Gary and his son Jim.
Survivors include his wife, Lois of Aberdeen; one son, Al (Joye) Ward of Aberdeen; four grandchildren, Rich (Amber) Ward, and Aleya, Alexis and Bowdrie Ward; and three sisters, Kathleen (Charles) Sorenson of Plankinton, Karen Pooley of Bemidji, Minnesota and Nancy Pieretti of Reno, Nevada.