Rev. Richard A. "Rick" Clark

Rev. Richard A. Clark passed away on August 18, 2025. In the final weeks of his life, friends and family from around the world gathered to show their love for Rick.

Rick is survived by his wife, Gloria. They first met at band camp at Lycoming College, and from that moment, their future was set. Their 57-year marriage was a study in commitment. Together, they supported Rick’s churches and congregations and advanced Gloria’s dream of becoming a professor. They were partners in the business of life and explorers on the journey, sharing a love of family, storytelling, traveling, music, books, theology, and the church. They traveled widely, but Spain, Mexico, and Maine always held special places in their hearts.

An ordained elder in the United Methodist Church, Rick served as a faithful shepherd to congregations in the former Wyoming and Central Pennsylvania Conferences, the Susquehanna Conference, and the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference. His parishes included Lakeville-Bidwell Hill, Bethany-Aldenville, Lakehurst, Factoryville-Chaplainship at Keystone College, Clarks Summit, Asbury, Plymouth-Larksville, Newberry, Mountville, and Bethany United Methodist Churches. In addition to his churches and charges, Rick was appointed to an extension ministry for ten years to the Cokesbury bookstore, the retail division of the United Methodist Publishing House. In that capacity he continued his pastoral ministry to many people who entered the bookstore looking not only for books, but also for a human connection. Rick was a devoted pastor who walked with his congregations through both joyous and difficult seasons. Career highlights included his dedication to interfaith ministries, starting the first HIV/AIDS ministry in Scranton, serving as the Youth director for the Scranton District, being a long-time member of the Pennsylvania Commission for United Ministries in Higher Education (UMHE), leading mission trips to rebuild homes, crafting meticulous and engaging Bible studies, and delivering sermons with skill and heart.

Rick also served as a chaplain in the Pennsylvania National Guard, retiring at the rank of Major after 20 years of service. He deeply valued his work with the Guard and the opportunities it gave him to care for his soldiers. Rick enjoyed learning about military history, particularly the American Revolution. After retirement, he pursued opportunities to engage this passion. He spent time volunteering at the U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center in Carlisle, PA and was a member of the Pennsylvania Navy Revolutionary War Reenactment group for many years.

As a husband, father, and friend, Rick was never a fan of Google or Apple maps—he always knew a better route. Many left his company with a hand-sketched map showing how to get where they were going. It’s hard to find a better metaphor for why Rick was loved by so many: he was always ready to guide others with love, care, and precision.

To his daughter Liz, he gave a love of scuba diving and the ocean; to his daughter Emily, a love of wandering and tinkering; to his daughter Maria, a love of learning; and to his son Isaac, an appreciation of art and history. His passions live on in the strong moral compass and independence he instilled in his children.

In addition to Gloria, he is survived by daughters J. Elizabeth (Neil), Emily (Alanna), and Maria; son Isaac (Alyssa); granddaughters Maeve and Tessa; grandsons Cole and Ryker; and his niece Wendy (Rick).

He will receive a military burial at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery in a family-only service. A public drop-in gathering will be held on October 11 from 12:00-5:00 pm at Trinity United Methodist Church (757 Willow Street, Lebanon, PA 17046) to share music, stories, food, and fond memories.

John Wesley, the father of United Methodism, urged his followers to “Do all the good you can, / By all the means you can, / In all the ways you can, / In all the places you can, / At all the times you can, / To all the people you can, / As long as ever you can.” Rick embodied this day in and day out, as a faithful and steadfast husband, father, friend, and pastor. Now, we hope he’s on a long, loving walk with his beloved dogs: Terry, Patches, Spencer and Maggie, who have surely been waiting for him.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be sent to the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR): 

1) Online: United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR)

2) Call toll free: ‪888-252-6174 to make your gift 

3) By Mail: To give by mail, make your check payable to Advance GCFA, write the name of the missionary or project and the Advance number (#999895) on the memo line of the check and send it to: Global Ministries/UMCOR, GPO, P.O. Box 9068, New York, NY 10087-9068.

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