Richard G. Pedersen

Richard G. Pedersen

Richard Pedersen Obituary

Obituary published on Legacy.com by Donald E. Lewis Funeral Home, Inc on Jan. 10, 2026.
Richard G. Pedersen of Warren, PA, died on January 8, 2026, at Christiana Care Hospital in Newark, Delaware. He was born April 15, 1950, to the late Garney Mathias and Imogene Ada (Currie) Pedersen. Richard graduated from Warren Area High School in 1968. He attended Edinboro University where he received a B.A. in Biology and a M. Sc. in Microbiology and took many post-graduate courses at Pennsylvania State University.

Richard was employed as a chemist at Van-Air in Erie, PA for several years. He then accepted a position with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service at the U.S. Pasture Lab in University Park, PA. Richard worked as a plant pathologist on the apomixis project with Dr. Robert Sherwood and the plant breeding project with Dr. Clyde Berg for twenty years. When those projects were defunded, he returned to Warren and obtained his wastewater treatment plant operators license and ran sewage treatment plants for Warren and Mead Township. Richard was also employed for twenty years on a part time basis with the U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census, doing monthly surveys in Warren and Forest counties, mostly in the Tidioute area. For the past several years he was an amphitheater usher at Chautauqua Institution. He was a member of Grace United Methodist Church and a Benedictine Oblate of St. Joseph's Monastery in St. Mary's, PA. Richard was also a member of the Erie Diocesan Cursillo Movement, Koinonia of Jamestown, Chautauqua County Footsteps and Metanoia prison ministry at SCI Cambridge Springs, SCI Forest in Marienville and SCI Albion.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother Lieutenant Jack Lee Pedersen, USN, missing at sea, his sister-in-law Susan Reynolds and his faithful canine companion, Nelsen. He is survived by his wife Alice Marie (Battles) Pedersen of Warren and several cousins.

He enjoyed gardening, crossword puzzles and antique automobiles, still driving his father's antique Mercedes-Benz. He enjoyed attending Chautauqua Institution during the summer season, and for the last few years was there for the entire summer while being an amphitheater usher.

Memorial services will be held on Friday January 16 2026, at 4:00 pm at Grace United Methodist Church, 501 Pennsylvania Ave. East Warren, PA, with Deacon Thomas McAraw, Spiritual Director of Erie Cursillo and Rev. William Beaty, pastor of Grace U.M. Church, co-officiating. Burial will be in the Mausoleum of the Ascension at St. Joseph Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to a charity of choice. Online condolences for the family may be sent by visiting www.lewisfuneralhomeinc.com or on our Facebook page. The Donald E. Lewis Funeral Home Inc., has been entrusted by the family for the final funeral arrangements.

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

Sign Richard Pedersen's Guest Book

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January 30, 2026

Rene wood McCoy posted to the memorial.

January 22, 2026

Ruth Correll posted to the memorial.

January 19, 2026

Joe Lewis posted to the memorial.

Rene wood McCoy

January 30, 2026

I am so sorry about Richard. He was a great guy.

Ruth Correll

January 22, 2026

We ushers will miss Richard so much. He always lended a helping hand and worked hard even when his strength was limited. I enjoyed ushering with him at Gate 3 on many occasions. His graciousness and kindness to everyone, and that includes the many dogs that passed by, was warmly sincere. His faith shined through, too. RIP, well done, good and faithful servant of God.

Joe Lewis

January 19, 2026

This is sad news indeed. We knew Richard as an usher at Chautauqua, and a frequent guest at Jewish services. He was a lovely man, soft-spoken and humane, and we counted him among our cherished Chautauqua friends. Our time at Chautauqua has come to an end, but we send our condolences to Alice, along with our best wishes.

Group of 10 Memorial Trees

Rebecca Ryan

Sent Sympathy Gifts including Trees

Beth Myers

January 15, 2026

Dear Alice,

I´m so sorry to learn of the passing of your dear husband. I remember boat rides on Chautauqua Lake with him and both his and Jim Johnson´s dogs.

Sending prayers and blessings,

Beth Myers

Dottie Bowen

January 15, 2026

Alice, sending love and prayers for the deep peace of Christ to give you comfort and strength.

Jeff Kunick

January 15, 2026

Alice - Just received the sad news. Please accept my sincere condolences. You will be in my thoughts and prayers.

Bill and Peggy Morgan

January 15, 2026

(This may be a repeat. I tried to send a message but am not sure it went out.) We're very sorry to hear the sad news about Richard. We'll miss the good conversations we used to have with him on the porch at the Catholic House and when we'd see him on the grounds. We were impressed with reading about all he had accomplished in life when we read the obituary. You certainly have our sympathy.

Deborah Ansell

January 14, 2026

Alice, we are so sorry for your loss. Please know our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. May you find peace in many loving memories. Steve and Debbie

Ruth Becker

January 14, 2026

RIP Richard. You brought joy to so many just by being present. We will wrap Alice in care and support as she lives into your absence.

John Everhart

January 13, 2026

Alice. Sorry to hear of Rich's passing. We had a lot of good times working together at the Pasture Reserach Lab. He was a good person and surely will be missed. John Everhart

Susan Libby

January 13, 2026

So sorry to see Rick´s passing Alice. Am thinking of you and wishing Rick a good journey

And wishing you peace

Vada Snider

January 13, 2026

Oh Alice, I'm so sad to hear that Richard has left this earth. In addition to all the other work he did at Chautauqua, for years he was a quiet presence behind the scenes at Baptist House. His willingness to fix all the little issues that came up in our beloved old building was an incredible blessing. Sending love.

Jack and Anne Palomaki

January 13, 2026

Alice,
We came to know Richard through you and seeing him in the Amp. He was a gentleman and a scholar. We were saddened to learn of his untimely passing from several of our Chautauqua friends. We will pause Friday morning to remember him and pray for your comfort.
Anne and Jack Palomaki
Lakewood, Ohio

Heidi Greene Warren

January 13, 2026

So sorry to hear of Richard´s passing....like many others, I used to see him all over the grounds, not "just" at the amp! He will be missed. Prayers.

Susan Laubach

January 12, 2026

I am so sorry to hear of your husband's death, Alice. You're in my prayers. Susan Laubach

Roseann Himes

January 12, 2026

Alice and family ... I was very sorry to hear of the passing of Richard . Please know you and your family are on my thoughts and prayers . Roseann Himes k56

Willie La Favor

January 12, 2026

Alice, I just received the news and I'm really sorry to hear this. I'm going to miss him in the Amp. He was a wonderful person. I'm sending love and peace your way.

Jim Steadman

January 12, 2026

Alice I was so very sorry to hear about Richard's passing. His constant, quiet presence at the Amp will be missed. Please accept my deepest condolences to you at this difficult time.

Jim Steadman

Paul Womack

January 12, 2026

Alice, I am heartbroken with this news. We send our prayers from Tennessee and will be with you in spirit this coming Friday. May grace embrace you.

Bonnie Byrd

January 12, 2026

David G Henry

January 12, 2026

A friend from the East Side

Melissa Spas

January 12, 2026

Alice, I am so sorry. What a tremendous loss. Praying that you will know peace that surpasses understanding. With love, Melissa

Ruth Morrison

January 12, 2026

Alice, I am saddened to hear this news about Richard. He certainly earned his place in heaven. I will be in Missouri this week. Richard will certainly leave a huge void. Big hugs Alice

Mike Corey

January 11, 2026

Richard was a loving man of God. I feel very fortunate to have known him through Koinonia and the United Methodist House at Chautauqua. He will be missed.

Deepest sympathies to Alice and family.

Joan Quickle

January 10, 2026

Alice, We are so sorry for your loss. Please know you are in our thoughts and prayers at this difficult time. Joan and Joe Quickle

Shirley A Bentham

January 10, 2026

Alice, I am sorry for your loss. I worked 3 years with Richard and will miss him this summer. My first day Cathy placed me with Richard. She said he would teach me everything he knew. I did learn a lot especially about the cookie walk and popcorn after evening events.

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304 East Street, Warren, PA 16365-2322

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Sign Richard Pedersen's Guest Book

Not sure what to say?

January 30, 2026

Rene wood McCoy posted to the memorial.

January 22, 2026

Ruth Correll posted to the memorial.

January 19, 2026

Joe Lewis posted to the memorial.