Remembering Dr. Dobbs

Remembering Rev. Dr. Dodds

Reverend Doctor Richard “Dick” A. Dodds (HR) passed away in the early morning hours of Thursday, February 18, 2021. He was 96 years old. He will be remembered for his ready smile, self-deprecating good humor, life of service to his community and his church family, and his love—with all his heart—for his family and his God.

Richard “Dick” Allison Dodds was born in Abington, Pennsylvania on November 26, 1924. He attended Abington High School. Following his senior year (1943) he enlisted in the Army Air Corps (Eighth Air Force) where he served as radio operator and gunner on a B-17. Returning home, he enrolled in Gettysburg College majoring in Business Administration, and held the title of “number one” on the college golf team. After graduation in 1949, he taught 5th grade at the Avondale Military Academy in Laurel, Maryland.

On September 8, 1951 he married the love of his life, Betty Klostermeier. Together they moved to Decatur, Georgia where he enrolled in Columbia Theological Seminary; graduating Magna Cum Laude in 1954.

Dick was ordained a Minister of Word and Sacrament in the Presbyterian Church in the United States in 1954. He also held a Master’s of Theology degree from Columbia Seminary. He received his Doctor of Ministry degree in 1980 from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary.

Dick began his pastoral ministry at the Crawfordville Presbyterian Church in Crawfordville, Georgia. This was followed by pastorates in East Belmont Presbyterian Church in Belmont, North Carolina; Kirkwood Presbyterian Church in Atlanta, Georgia; St. Andrews Presbyterian Church in Tucker, Georgia; and First Presbyterian Church in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. He served as Guest Professor of Evangelism, Director of Seminary Relations, and Coordinator of Planned Giving at Columbia Seminary. He was Vice President of the Texas Presbyterian Foundation from 1984 until he retired in 1990. In retirement he did consulting work for the Presbyterian Church Foundation in Jeffersonville, Indiana.

He will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him. His survivors include his sister, Marjorie Hamilton of Akron, PA; his devoted wife of 69 years Betty Klostermeier Dodds; children - daughter Roberta Dodds-Ingersoll (Bill) of Grayslake, IL; son John Thomson Dodds II (Lee) of Peachtree City, GA; grandchildren - Lori Ingersoll Zabor (Bobby) and John William Ingersoll, both of Houston, TX; Anna Lee Dodds (Cameron) of Victoria, British Columbia; and two greatgrandchildren, Hannah and Austin Zabor.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to Columbia Theological Seminary, 701 South Columbia Drive, Decatur, GA 30030 designated for “The Betty and Dick Dodds Scholarship Fund”. Contributions may also be made to First Presbyterian Church of Peachtree City, 206 Willowbend Road, Peachtree City, GA 30269.

Provided by Rev Dr.Dodds’ family