Richard E. Horst

Richard "Dick" Horst, age 86, of Rockford, Illinois, died peacefully on Tuesday, November 29, 2016 at Wesley Willows Health Center. He was known to many as Pastor Horst and also as Chappie. Dick was born on February 2, 1930 in Mount Morris, IL, Son of Walter and Mary Horst. He had 2 sisters, Doris and Darlene. Dick married Barbara Heisterberg on August 26, 1951. Dick was predeceased in death by wife Barb, parents and his sisters. Dick is survived by his family, Dr. Jill Lindberg, Metairie, LA, Julie Fridly, Middleton, WI, Jodi and Shane Miller, Rockford, IL, grandchildren, Blake and Leah Lindberg, Arabi, LA, Allison Lindberg and fiancé, Richard Koski, New York, NY, Hayden Miller and girlfriend, Mallory Bartolic, Chicago, IL, and extended family Caroline and Warren Barnebey, Royce and Gayle Devick, Joannie Heisterberg, numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Dick developed a sacred insight into the whole of God's creation while being raised on his parents' farm in Mt. Morris, IL and being active at St. James Lutheran Church and Trinity Lutheran Church during his boyhood years. Dick graduated from Mt. Morris High School in 1948, Carthage College in 1952. During their years at...[more]

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arthage College, Dick and Barb were married in August of 1951. In 1952, Dick began seminary at Lutheran School of Theology in Maywood, IL. He was guided by his professor of Pastoral Care, Pastor Charles Sullivan. Dick received his Master of Divinity in 1956. To complete seminary training meant that Barb faithfully worked to help with living costs. On May 16, 1956, Dick was ordained as a Lutheran minister. His first parish call began in June of 1956 at Grace Lutheran Church in Virginia, IL where daughters Jill and then Julie were born. In December of 1958, Dick accepted a call to serve at First Lutheran Church, Chadwick, IL where daughter Jodi was born in December of 1963. In April of 1964, Dick became the pastor at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church in Lansing, IL. In 1969 Dick was gifted with a grant to earn his Clinical Pastoral Education at Elgin State Hospital Elgin, IL. Dick then accepted a position as Hospital Chaplain at Rockford Memorial Hospital in June of 1970. During this chaplaincy, Dick specialized in ministries that provided unique ways to serve in areas of cardiac care, and at Van Matre Rehabilitation Center in Rockford, as well as in geriatric settings. An example was development of The Bedside Closure Ministry format which received national recognition via College of Chaplains. Another was the Cardiac Residency for Clergy and the Geriatric Residency for Clergy fulfilling a goal to share together with parish pastors in vital ways of ministries in special settings. In April of 1980, Dick returned to parish ministry and accepted a call to serve at Faith Lutheran Church, Rockford, IL. Thankfully, devoted wife, Barb and daughters, tolerated the several moves which meant adjusting to new schools, although they always pondered when and if they would need to move again. In June of 1982, Dick and Barb moved to Madison, WI where he began his career as a geriatric chaplain at Oakwood Lutheran Homes. Upon his first retirement, Dick served as Interim Pastor at Cooksville Lutheran Church, Cooksville, WI from 1992 to 1995. In 1995, Dick and Barb headed south to Destin, FL where they lived until 1999. While living in Florida, Dick continued to serve at Emerald Coast Lutheran Mission, Santa Rosa Beach, Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Pensacola and Freeport Presbyterian Church, Freeport. In October of 1999, Dick and Barb relocated back to Madison, WI. Barb died in July of 2001. Dick and Barb would have celebrated 50 years of marriage in August of 2001. In October of 2001, Dick moved into Oakwood Village where he had previously served as chaplain. Dick returned to his work as interim chaplain at Meriter Retirement Services and Oakwood from 2001 - 2008. Dick also served at West Blue Mounds Lutheran Church, Blue Mound, WI in 2003 and 2008. The sunny beaches of Destin beckoned him back in 2010 where he served at Shalimar Presbyterian Church, Shalimar, FL until 2014. During his time in Florida, he gained many friendships while living in Destin and Ft. Walton Beach. In August of 2014, Dick fulfilled his desire to move to California, which had been a place Dick longed to live. He enjoyed his time in Palm Desert and La Quinta where he enjoyed spending time with his niece Vicki and her husband Larry. During his time in California, Dick continued to build many friendships. Dick used to joke that he was a nomad and his many moves were proof of this. In all the places he lived, Dick was blessed with wonderful friendships and memories. In his last few months the outpouring of greetings from family, friends and parishioners was a true testament to his life of ministry that he began in 1956. Dick was recognized by Northern Illinois Synod for his 60 years in ministry in July of 2016. In September of 2015, Dick's health status brought him back to Rockford, IL when he became a resident at Wesley Willows Retirement Center. He quickly became known as Chappie and in his short time living there, he touched many hearts of residents and staff. As his health declined, the wonderful and caring staff provided excellent care and gave peace of mind to Chappie and his family. On Tuesday November 29th, Chappie attended chapel, had visits from Owen and Kim from VNA Hospice and spent his final moments with Wesley Willows CNA Annette holding his hand. Dick's family was most grateful to learn that he was not alone when he died. Dick's family is so very grateful for the prayers, love and support in these past few weeks, but also for the many years of friendship to Dick and Barb. The outpouring of memories and greetings were such a blessing for him to receive and are treasured by his daughters. He was a deeply loved man. Dick's family is thankful to have so many fond memories from the churches he served at as well as the places we lived. All our lives were molded and enriched by Dick's life. Visitation at 10:00 am and Memorial Service at 12:00 pm, on December 10, 2016 at Our Saviors Lutheran Church, Rockford, IL. There will be a luncheon at the church following the service. In Lieu of flowers, Dick requested that memorials be made in his name to the charitable organizations: Wesley Willows Good Samaritan Fund, 4141 N. Rockton Ave., Rockford, IL 61103 Cancer Research Institute, One Exchange Plaza, 55 Broadway, Suite 1802, New York, NY 10006 Our Saviors Lutheran Church, 3300 Rural St., Rockford, IL 61107