Richard A. Todd

1927 - 2025

Richard A. Todd

June 19, 1927 - December 8, 2025

Wichita, Kansas - Richard A. Todd, historian, educator, and devoted servant of the church, passed away December 8, 2025, at the age of 98.

Born June 19, 1927, to Henry and Louisa Todd, Richard was the eldest of three children. He was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara Todd (1933–2023), and by his sisters, Barbara Fountain and Nancy Siemens.

Richard earned his BA from Sacramento State College in 1952 and his BD from Fuller Theological Seminary in 1955. He completed his MA and PhD at the University of California at Berkeley in 1958 and 1963, specializing in Ancient Greek and Roman History, the Ancient Near East, and Medieval England.

He taught Western Civilization at Stanford University from 1959 to 1961 before joining Wichita State University in 1963. He served as Assistant and Associate Professor of History until his retirement in 1996 and was named Associate Professor Emeritus of History at Wichita State University.

Richard received Fulbright and IREX Fellowships to Romania and undertook sabbatical studies in Athens and Jerusalem. He especially valued his participation as an ordinary digger in the Joint Expedition to Caesarea Maritima in Israel.

His publications of broad public appeal included three chapters in A Lion Handbook: The History of Christianity, later published as Introduction to the History of Christianity (Fortress Press, 2002). His major monograph, Napoleon's Medals: Victory to the Arts (The History Press, 2009), explored classical themes in Napoleonic medallions and featured his own photography. He later authored the Gold of Qumran novel trilogy: The Gold of Qumran, Gold of the Goddess, and Not All That Glitters, available on Amazon.

Richard served faithfully as an Elder at Eastminster Presbyterian Church, where he taught numerous adult education classes.

He is survived by his children, Geoffrey Todd and Alison Guerra, and his grandchildren, Caroline Guerra and William Guerra.

The memorial service will be held Friday, December 19th at 1:30 p.m., at Eastminster Presbyterian Church, 1958 N. Webb Rd., Wichita, KS 67206.

Memorial gifts may be made to Wycliffe Bible Translators, PO Box 628200, Orlando, FL 32862.