Bishop Emeritus Richard Woodland Kohl, Sr.

Richard Woodland Kohl, Sr., Bishop Emeritus of the Evangelical Congregational Church, passed away at the age of 89 on Saturday, July 1, 2023 at the Presbyterian Village at Summerville, SC. He was born on June 17, 1934 to Claude and Edna (Woodland) Kohl in Coopersburg, PA. He graduated from Allentown High School in 1952 and from Moravian College in 1956. He earned a Master of Divinity from Moravian Seminary. Richard dedicated his life to the Lord at age 17. He began pastoring in the Evangelical Congregational denomination at age 19 while earning his degrees. On June 15, 1957, he married Mary Louise Kilpatrick. While pastoring in Pennsylvania, Richard was called to the Chaplaincy in the United States Army and served as a chaplain for 21 years. After retiring from the US Army at the rank of Colonel, Richard returned to pastoring. He planted a church near Harrisburg, PA and in 1991 he was elected Bishop of the Evangelical Congregational Church, serving the denomination for 8 years. Richard served the Lord in full-time ministry for more than 50 years. He not only followed Jesus as a fisher of men but he was also an avid fisherman. He was privileged to live on a lake for 10 years in Pennsylvania before he and Mary retired to Summerville, SC in 2008 to live closer to family. Richard is survived by Mary, his loving wife of 66 years, as well as his three children, Mary Elizabeth Saurman (Todd), Richard Woodland Kohl, Jr. (Martha), and Deborah Ann Blauch (Andrew); grandchildren Brandon Kohl (Jennifer), Jeremy Kohl, Rachel Premo (Craig), Alexandria Vaux (Jason), Rebekah Stauffer (Ben), Benjamin Blauch, Jacob Blauch (Rachel), Joshua Blauch, and Nathan Blauch; great-grandchildren Jonathan Stauffer, David Stauffer, Riley Vaux, and Sophia Stauffer. He was affectionately called Pappy, and was a much-beloved husband, father, grandfather, great–grandfather, pastor, and friend. He was blessed by the care of many wonderful nurses, aides, and staff at the Village at Summerville as well as Intrepid Hospice. His family would like to thank his many caregivers including the compassionate Dr. David Castellone. A gathering of family and friends will be held at 1:00 P.M. Saturday, July 8, 2023 followed by a funeral service at 2 PM at the James A. Dyal Funeral Home Chapel, 303 S. Main Street, Summerville, SC. Rites of Committal with Military Honors and Interment will take place at 1:00 P.M. Monday, July 10, 2023 in the Fort Jackson National Cemetery, 4170 Percival Road, Columbia, SC 29229. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Evangelical Congregational Church Global Ministries Community. Checks should be made out to “The Global Ministries Community” and mailed to 100 W. Park Avenue, Myerstown, PA 17067 or donations could also be sent through the following link: https://app.etapestry.com/onlineforms/EvangelicalCongregationalChur/GMC.html Online condolences can be given at www.jamesadyal.com.

Bishop Emeritus Richard Woodland Kohl, Sr.

June 17, 1934 - July 1, 2023