Richard Ernst Gross

Richard E. Gross completed his baptismal journey and returned home to God on the morning of June 4th, 2016 in Portland, OR. He was surrounded by family. Richard was born November 1st, 1923 in Wenatchee, WA to Paul and Anna Gross. He attended Concordia Prep School in Concordia, MO before moving on to complete his training to become a pastor in the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, MO. He met his soon-to-be bride, Edith Felten while serving his vicarage in Gardnerville, Nevada. He graduated in 1947 and he and Edith were married in April of 1948. For over 40 years, Pastor Gross served congregations faithfully alongside his wife and his growing family. He is a beloved leader who is remembered well, having served and in some cases helped build LC-MS congregations in Fillmore, NY; Cottage Grove, OR; Coos Bay/North Bend, OR; Nampa, ID; Hillsboro, OR; Kennewick, WA and finally Portland, OR before retiring in 1988. Together, Richard and Edith grew a large and loving family. Their 7 children married and had children of their own, growing Richard’s legacy of a loving, compassionate family to 15 grandchildren and now 12 great-grandchildren. Richard loved playing golf with his sons and family friends in their annual family golf tournament, doting on his grandchildren and delighting in the new life that his great-grandchildren brought. He will be remembered as a deeply caring pastor, a powerful preacher, a kind and compassionate neighbor in his communities, a loving father, a “Silly Grandpa” and a gentle great-Grandpa. The Grosses extend their gratitude for a life well-lived and a love to be passed on for generations to come. Richard is survived by his wife Edith, and children and spouses Paul (Julie), David (Marcia), Steven (Corinne), Christine (David Todd), Gary (Jerri), Larry (Sandy) and Michael (Eileen). He will be missed dearly by grandchildren, spouses and their children: Andrew (daughter Amara), Alison (daughter Luléa), Tim (Noelle and daughters Karalena and Annalea), Alicia (Elysia Lindfield), Aaron (Amy and sons Elliot and Charlie), Lauren (Andrew Martin and son Henrik), Anna (Jeff Young and son Graham and daughters Maya, Lydia and Aubrianna), Sara (Josh Samuelson), Karen (Michael Hohimer and son Jacob), Mark, Jamie (Alex Meinig), Joe, Matthew, Alex and Emily. Per Richard’s request, memorial gifts may be sent to Concordia University, Portland, OR.