Obituary for Richard Lionel Batchelder
RICHARD BATCHELDER OBITUARY
Richard Lionel Batchelder, 93, died peacefully on February 10, 2023, in Roseland, NJ, after a brief illness. He was a beloved pastor, husband, father, and grandfather, with a lifelong commitment to civil rights. His long, happy marriage to Marilyn Batchelder was the center of his life. His four children and five grandchildren loved serious conversations with him but also knew him as a storyteller, a game player, a singer of silly songs, and an inveterate punster.
Dick was born in Pasadena, CA, in August 1929. ("I said 'waa' and the stock market crashed," he kidded.) He graduated from Pomona College, where he met Marilyn. He and his future wife then traveled across country to attend Yale Divinity School, where they both received graduate degrees. They married in 1953 shortly before his ordination.
Dick and Marilyn both made equal rights and progressive social action the touchstone of their religious calling. In their teen years, they found a passion for social justice through YMCA and YWCA activities; during their college and graduate years they volunteered for summer service projects with the American Friends Service Committee.
Dick began his professional life in the campus ministry, first in Orono, ME, and then in Pittsburgh, PA. While in Pittsburgh, he completed a PhD and, with Marilyn, became heavily involved with initiatives in fair housing and improved schooling for the local Black community. He then accepted a top position with the national staff of the YMCA in New York City, and the family moved to Montclair, NJ, in 1966 with four kids in tow.
After his time at the YMCA, Dick worked as a fundraiser for Berea College, a full-scholarship college in KY. He next took on the role of Interim Pastor at Glen Ridge Congregational Church, and later served as Associate Pastor of Packanack Lake Community Church in Wayne, NJ. A compassionate and empathetic listener, he was especially valued as a pastoral guide for older congregants. He also taught courses in ethics and comparative religion at a maximum-security prison in NY State, remaining active into his eighties. Marilyn, meanwhile, became a pastoral marriage and family therapist.
Dick was an Eagle Scout. His favorite place in the world was Yosemite National Park, where he had an idyllic summer job in his college years. The Batchelders took camping vacations, with Dad leading fishing expeditions and campfire singing. He loved card games and was a sharp bridge player, retaining his "card sense" throughout his long life.
Dick and Marilyn enjoyed travel in their later years, with memorable trips to Alaska, Europe, China, Venezuela, Curacao, Turkey, and the Grand Tetons. They often flew to California to visit son Jim and three grandchildren, as well as Marilyn's brother Will and Dick's older brother Robert.
Dick Batchelder is survived by four children-Janet, Donald, Ram Das, and Jim-as well as five grandchildren and a great-granddaughter. A memorial service will be held at Union Congregational Church, 176 Cooper Avenue, Upper Montclair, NJ, on Sunday, March 12 at 3:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to International Rescue Committee, FINCA International, or Berea College.
Richard Lionel Batchelder, 93, died peacefully on February 10, 2023, in Roseland, NJ, after a brief illness. He was a beloved pastor, husband, father, and grandfather, with a lifelong commitment to civil rights. His long, happy marriage to Marilyn Batchelder was the center of his life. His four children and five grandchildren loved serious conversations with him but also knew him as a storyteller, a game player, a singer of silly songs, and an inveterate punster.
Dick was born in Pasadena, CA, in August 1929. ("I said 'waa' and the stock market crashed," he kidded.) He graduated from Pomona College, where he met Marilyn. He and his future wife then traveled across country to attend Yale Divinity School, where they both received graduate degrees. They married in 1953 shortly before his ordination.
Dick and Marilyn both made equal rights and progressive social action the touchstone of their religious calling. In their teen years, they found a passion for social justice through YMCA and YWCA activities; during their college and graduate years they volunteered for summer service projects with the American Friends Service Committee.
Dick began his professional life in the campus ministry, first in Orono, ME, and then in Pittsburgh, PA. While in Pittsburgh, he completed a PhD and, with Marilyn, became heavily involved with initiatives in fair housing and improved schooling for the local Black community. He then accepted a top position with the national staff of the YMCA in New York City, and the family moved to Montclair, NJ, in 1966 with four kids in tow.
After his time at the YMCA, Dick worked as a fundraiser for Berea College, a full-scholarship college in KY. He next took on the role of Interim Pastor at Glen Ridge Congregational Church, and later served as Associate Pastor of Packanack Lake Community Church in Wayne, NJ. A compassionate and empathetic listener, he was especially valued as a pastoral guide for older congregants. He also taught courses in ethics and comparative religion at a maximum-security prison in NY State, remaining active into his eighties. Marilyn, meanwhile, became a pastoral marriage and family therapist.
Dick was an Eagle Scout. His favorite place in the world was Yosemite National Park, where he had an idyllic summer job in his college years. The Batchelders took camping vacations, with Dad leading fishing expeditions and campfire singing. He loved card games and was a sharp bridge player, retaining his "card sense" throughout his long life.
Dick and Marilyn enjoyed travel in their later years, with memorable trips to Alaska, Europe, China, Venezuela, Curacao, Turkey, and the Grand Tetons. They often flew to California to visit son Jim and three grandchildren, as well as Marilyn's brother Will and Dick's older brother Robert.
Dick Batchelder is survived by four children-Janet, Donald, Ram Das, and Jim-as well as five grandchildren and a great-granddaughter. A memorial service will be held at Union Congregational Church, 176 Cooper Avenue, Upper Montclair, NJ, on Sunday, March 12 at 3:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to International Rescue Committee, FINCA International, or Berea College.