Richard was born in Saskatchewan and attended a church that preached the gospel and emphasized missions. When he was eleven years old, he received Jesus Christ as his personal Saviour, and was baptized the summer before he entered grade twelve. After high school Richard studied at Briercrest Bible Institute and graduated in 1964. Richard and Esther were married that summer. They moved to London, ON and he studied at London College of Bible and Missions, graduating in 1966. Just before graduation Richard was called to serve as an assistant Pastor at a large church in London and was ordained there in 1970. After pastoring in Ontario, Saskatchewan and Manitoba Richard retired in 2008 and then served in three interim pastoral positions in Alberta and Manitoba. During his ministry he also served in denominational leadership and as a consultant. It was also his privilege to serve as chaplain of the Saskatchewan Roughriders, leading church services on radio and serving as a hospital chaplain. Richard and Esther have two children. Brad and his wife, Lori, served as missionaries in Peru for fifteen years and now serve as a Pastor in Winnipeg. Their daughter, Heather, has served as a missionary and has been on staff at Grant. She and her husband, Mike, own their own IT business and worship at Grant. Richard and Esther also have three grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Richard believes in the local church and loves Grant Memorial. They began attending Grant early in 2015. They assist in the leadership of Grant Seniors and pre-pandemic have enjoyed singing in the choir and on worship teams. It is his prayer that God will continue to use Grant in ministry in our city and to the ends of the earth.