Rev. Dr. Richard William Banach

Richard was our Pastor when I was going to LaSalle U. for my BSN. We often talked about nursing and he was so interested in my progress in school. In New Jersey we had a publication called the Methodist Relay. Every month I looked forward to a write-up Richard contributed. A beautiful and meaningful service was the way he conducted Holy Thursday. He fulled the Fellowship Hall with plants and flowers and placed chairs in a circle around the room. It gave a sense of taking communion in the Garden of Gethsemane Most of all I remember his great skill on the grand piano and how he made music a pert of his sermon. What a gift God gave him! I shall always remember him.

I met Richard when I served as a student local pastor at Viola & Ladentown UMC's in Rockland County, from 1996-1998. I lived in Suffern. I always respected Dr Banach's perspective, as I still remember it to this day -- "shut down all the churches and make one central temple!" I also liked that he was open to the mystery of other worldly phenomena. Rest in peace. God bless the family during these days. -- Rev Eusun Kim, Woodbridge UMC.