Richard H. "Dick" Foege

1937 - 2015

BORN

1937

DIED

2015

Richard Foege Obituary

Name: Visitation for Richard H. "Dick" Foege
Start: 2015-12-18T20:00:00.000Z
End: 2015-12-19T04:00:00.000Z
Location: Mountain View Cemetery

Richard H. Foege The Rev. Dr. Richard "Dick" H. Foege, 78, of Tacoma, passed unexpectedly on Monday, December 7, 2015 and joined the church triumphant. He was born in Decorah, IA on October 18, 1937. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Sociology degree from Pacific Lutheran College in 1959. He continued his education by enrolling in seminary, because he thought "it would be interesting." He met and fell in love with Mary Guenther. They were married in Des Moines, IA July 17, 1962. Their son Mark was born a year later. In 1964, he graduated from Luther Seminary, was ordained, and accepted a letter of call to serve in the mission fields of Japan. Their son Tom was born the next year. In 1969, he accepted a call to serve Emmanuel Lutheran Church and began a long and successful ministry in the north end of Tacoma. He consistently called all to hear the Word of the Gospel and participate in the Sacraments. He earned recognition as a sound theologian with a deep understanding of stewardship. Dick earned his Doctorate in Theology as well as his MBA from Graduate Theological Foundation. A loving and affectionate man, he was renowned for his sense of humor, his proclivity for pranks, his generosity, and sense of family. Friends knew him as a fierce competitor, no matter the stakes. Few things were as satisfying to Dick as telling a good story. This was true in a personal conversation, a classroom, or from the pulpit. He is survived by his wife Mary, son Mark, daughter-in-law Charelle, and their children Kyle and Alec of Gig Harbor, WA, and son Tom, daughter-in-law Vicki, and their children Logan and Luke, of Kent, WA. He also leaves behind siblings and their families, Col. Adalbert and Mildred Toepel (US Army, Ret.) of Eugene, OR, Drs. Frederick and Grace Holmes of Lenexa, KS, Dr. William and Paula Foege of Atlanta, GA, Neal and Annette Stixrud of Portland, OR, Lee and Carolyn Hellberg of Walla Walla, WA, and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Rev. William A. and Erika Anne Foege, his grandson Brock Foege, his niece Cindy Holmes, and his nephew David Foege. Visitation at Mountain View Cemetery will be from noon to 8:00 PM on Friday, December 18th. Funeral services will be held at Emmanuel Lutheran Church on Saturday, December 19th, at 1:00 PM. A reception will be held at Emmanuel at 3:00. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to either the Emmanuel Lutheran Church Endowment Fund or Lutheran World Relief.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by News Tribune (Tacoma) on Dec. 16, 2015.

Memories and Condolences
for Richard Foege

9 Entries

Christy Swanson

October 22, 2024

Pastor Foege came to mind this morning in prayer... I just want to honor him and his part/function for the Kingdom... I was born in 1970, and Emmanuel was our church. I went to Sunday school and met Jesus, loved VBS and all of the potlucks together. At about age 6 or 7, sitting near the front next to my dad, listening to Pastor Foege tell a story about his kids... I remember KNOWING "the Bible was for today". I saw this morning that Pastor spoke prophetically through analogies. It brought tears to my eyes & looked him up and found this post. My parents were Jerry & Norma Olson. Mom taught Sunday school & dad with the teens The Luther leaguers :)
I remember fondly the KOA camping trips as well. With tears of appreciation I honor your dad and thank him.
Most sincerely, Christy Swanson in Port Orchard. May God bless you all

November 21, 2018

Pastor Foege family

Your husband, father, grandfather, brother, son was a very special man. I can only imagine the extent of your loss. Please accept my belated, heartfelt sympathy. I just recently came across his obituary online.
Before moving to Oregon, my family attended Emmanuel Lutheran. I feel compelled to tell you how Pastor Foege's acts of kindness touched each member of my family. His sermons and delivery style hooked us immediately.....he was educational without being preachy, inspirational without being mystical and beyond the norm to say the least in all aspects behind the pulpit. He always left us wanting more. From the first time he shook my hands while exiting the service, I knew he was different. He remembered everyone's name immediately, a feat I saw repeated when I brought my mother to visit. He looked straight into your eyes and made a real connection. "Direct and real" was his style, no false pretenses. Within a week he visited our home and continued to do so on many occasions after we joined the church. His interest was genuine and sincere, he came with no agenda and listened and learned about our family. Never before or since have I received such a gift from a pastor. Over the course of our time in Tacoma we all expanded in our faith and I attribute that to his fine example and forthright teaching.
When my older son Robert was murdered in July of 2010, and the pastor of Immanuel Lutheran in Silverton, Oregon had to leave on vacation, I turned to Pastor Foege and asked if he could officiate. He had confirmed Rob before we left Washington and did not hesitate to come to our aid. As a mother I can not express how much that meant to me. Pastor Foege honored Rob and our family in a way that words can never do justice. The service was personalized, and touched the hearts and souls of all those present. I knew your family had suffered the unbearable loss of a young grandchild and this had to be difficult for Pastor Foege on a personal level. He understood in a way no other human being can, sadly having walked the same path before our family. The loss of a child is so unnatural and no one can ever prepare themselves for such pain. Pastor Foege never sugar coated or gave me the standard lines society passes off as comfort. He knew my heart was broken and I could see the same heartbreak in his sad eyes. This was a man who "walked the talk" and he didn't have to say a word. I can only imagine how many times in his vocation he had to give himself to others when he was suffering. He was tired and I knew it, but he kept going and giving....that was his essence.....what he demonstrated to me. When I asked for a follow up visit for my mother in Lakewood, he did so without question. My mother was truly touched by his compassion. We continued to correspond after Rob's death and I was glad to hear he finally accepted retirement. I sensed something was wrong with him physically, although he never mentioned a thing. My husband has Parkinson's (his dad died of complications of Parkinson's dementia), so I am familiar with the symptoms and I assumed it was a similar neurological disorder. I just pray he did not suffer and was allowed to softly leave to be with the Lord. He was a true man of God and his presence on earth will be missed forever.
I know you are aware this is just the tip of the iceberg for all the differences he made in the lives of others. We can only hope his legacy lives on forever through his teachings, and the actions of those he influenced.
I extend my love to you and yours. I so respect and thank you for sharing Pastor Foege with us. It could not have been easy all these years, a difficult sacrifice. I wish his loving family peace of mind, body and spirit always.
Diane Bernard
Salem, Oregon

Karen Ogden

December 21, 2015

Pastor Foege was not only a huge spiritual influence for me, but also taught me much about writing over the course of our confirmation classes. Does anyone remember those sermon notes: Introduction, three points, and conclusion? Remember Pastor Foege's lectures about "the vehicle" as a writing device during Bible study?

Today I'm a professional writer and I'm grateful for his tutelage as one of my most influential teachers.

Tom Gimse

December 18, 2015

As you go though life few people change your direction. Pastor Foege did just that. I met him 45 years ago and since then he has been in my life though good and bad times. From confirmation to weddings, my kids being baptized to both of my parents passing. He was there and always a rock. I will miss knowing he's not on earth anymore. But we will meet again.

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Walt Kaplin

December 16, 2015

Thank you for being our spiritual leader and family friend since you arrived at Emmanuel in 1969. Joanie remembered you at P.L.C. when she was there.

Your sound leadership and advice meant much to me and my family. But most of all, thank you for being just you, a great human being who loved the Church and your flock. You will be greatly missed. I'm certain that you and Joanie will be looking down on us. We are county on that. Your friend;
Walt Kaplin

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