Pastor Richard R. Gilmore

Richard R. “Dick” Gilmore 95, of Onalaska, WI, went home to be with his Lord Jesus Christ on Thursday, October 29, 2020. He was born on December 20, 1924, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to Richard B. and Avah (Strite) Gilmore. Upon graduation from high school in 1941 he enlisted in the Air Force. After the war ended, he enrolled in the University of Minnesota and graduated with degrees in engineering and business administration. He was employed as an industrial engineer by U.S. Steel in Duluth, MN., and Cleveland, OH. In 1956 he married Audrey Stolen and they celebrated their 64 ^th wedding anniversary last June. In 1962 the Lord called him into fulltime ministry, and he enrolled in Luther Seminary in St. Paul.

He was ordained in 1965 and served churches in Winnipeg, Manitoba; Stoughton, WI. and La Crosse, WI. (Bethel Lutheran). In 1978 he became the founding pastor of Christ Is Lord Church in Onalaska, Wisconsin, and served the church for 25 years before retiring January 1, 2004. Members of his congregation appreciated Pastor Dick’s spiritual guidance and sincere interest in their lives. He spent many hours leading small group Bible studies and helping men grow in their faith. In addition to his parish ministry, he and his wife led Marriage Encounter weekends and other retreats for couples throughout the United States.

Always eager to grow in wisdom, Pastor Dick spent much time reading and meditating on his Bible. He also credited As a Man Thinketh , by James Allen, and The Robe , by Lloyd C. Douglas as helping open his mind to the beauty and nobility of the Christian faith.

His deepest joy in life came from his close personal relationship with Jesus Christ and the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. He summarized his thoughts in a booklet titled God’s New Covenant for Mankind.

Dick was a life-long exercise enthusiast. Well into his 90s, he was still working out at the YMCA. But even more than the workout, he treasured a group of faithful friends who gathered each weekday in the lobby of the YMCA for coffee and fellowship.

He is survived by his wife, Audrey, and their three children:

Tracey (Greg) Finck of Princeton, Minn., and their children:

Betsy (Ben) Alle and daughter Evija

Britta (David) Christensen-Finck

Jack (Mikala) Finck and son Walter

David (Gretchen) of Nerstrand, Minn., and their children:

Greta and Julia

Judy (Paul) Sather of Geneva, IL, and their children:

Daniel (Erin) and their children Beckett and Ivy

Emily (Travis) Hall and daughter Mercie

Jonathan and Audra

A private service will be held by the family, thanking and praising God for the life of Dick Gilmore.