Richard Anton Weisenbach

Richard Anton Weisenbach

What can we say about our dad? He was born in October of 1941 to Ruth and Albert Weisenbach, the oldest of four boys who grew up in Southampton, Pennsylvania. He went to Muhlenberg College on a football scholarship and continued his education at Gordon Theological Seminary, eventually attaining a doctorate in ministry from Fuller Seminary.

In 1964 he married Patricia O'Brien and over the years they had three kids and served in Union Congregational in Magnolia, West Church in Peabody, Kalihi Union in Honolulu, First Parish Congregational in Wakefield, and after his “retirement”, First Church in Woburn. He also covered sabbaticals in remote spots from Chesuncook Maine, to Kawajalain in the Marshall Islands. He was honored To be included in decades of precious moments in the lives of these communities.

He made a difference in peoples’ lives by engaging, listening, empathizing, encouraging, and sharing the good news of the gospel of Jesus. He loved his family, our mom, his dear friends, colleagues, and many parishioners. He enjoyed sight seeing, travel, history, music, reading, gardening, the outdoors, cooking, and talking! Last week, meeting with the Palliative care team, after a 10 year battle with cancer and treatments, and a month of blood and platelet transfusions, he decided to go on hospice. Minutes after learning his symptoms would not improve, they asked how he felt about his impending death. He responded by sharing the gospel of Jesus and his confident hope that death did not have the final say. He died at home, with his family by his side, early in the morning of July 15, 2026. There will remain a whole in our lives that he has always filled, but we will cling to the hope of the promises of Jesus, Heaven and reunion with each other.

Please join us for a Celebration of Life Service at the 1st Parish Congregational Church, 1 Church Street, Wakefield MA 01880 on Saturday July 25, 2026 at 11am; following the service there will be food and fellowship in the Church Hall.