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| Love Them All the Way to Heaven |
He was a teacher, a pastor and an Iowa District West president, but above all Richard Gordon Kapfer was a godly leader with a servant's heart. Now, even in death, his work continues through the legacy he left for his family and for his Lord.
A Beloved Leader -Beloved by many throughout the District, President Richard Kapfer was a mentor and guide for both pastors and seminarians. His focus was always on strong preaching. His wife, Lois, recalls a sermon entitled, "Living in the Dash." In that sermon, Kapfer emphasized it wasn't your birth date or date of death that mattered, but how you lived your life in between - in the dash. The "dash" that was President Kapfer's life was filled to overflowing despite being cut short by cancer in 2001.
"Dick was a good husband and father," says Mrs. Kapfer. Their two children, daughter Hilary of Eden Prairie, Minn., and son Thomas of Libertyville, Ill., were raised with their parents' philosophy: "Love them all the way to heaven." That love grew as five grandchildren were added to the Kapfer clan: Michael, Kurt, Eric, Kalie, and Anna. God's Plan for the Kapfers -Dick and Lois met at Iowa State Teachers College (now known as the University of Northern Iowa). He was an English major who loved the stage and found himself in several leading roles; she majored in primary education. After one year of teaching high school speech and drama he entered the seminary at Springfield, Ill., while Lois taught school at Trinity. There he discovered God had a different type of leading role for him.
His first pastoral call took them out of the Midwest to the church at Dartmouth College in Hanover, N.H. After three years they moved to Ypsilanti, Mich. where Rev. Kapfer served in campus ministry at Eastern Michigan University for ten years. Lois finished her degree in primary education and taught at St. Paul's Lutheran School.
Then came the call to Memorial, Ames. He served there as pastor until 1985 when he was elected president of Iowa District West. This meant a move to Fort Dodge and the District Office. Along with the job came many new duties and daily interruptions. "Dick had a compassionate heart," recalls Mrs. Kapfer. "People would apologize for interrupting his work and he often answered, 'The interruptions are my work.'" He maintained his role as district president with an attitude of the foot-washing servant.
Establishing a Legacy for Family and Ministry -Pastor Kapfer was instrumental in supporting the resolution at the 1988 District Convention that brought Gift Planning Counselor Jim Schroeder to Iowa District West. Lois attended the first seminar that Schroeder held at St. Paul's, Fort Dodge in 1989. In 1996, Dick and Lois became interested in establishing a charitable trust. They met with Schroeder and Tim Kraayenbrink, their local AAL representative, for advice and guidance on establishing this method of Christian stewardship.
After Lois' death, the charitable trust will provide the Kapfer grandchildren with an income stream for 20 years until the trust matures. At that time the Kapfers' favorite charities will benefit from the trust. These include: Memorial, Ames; Camp Okoboji; the American Cancer Society; the Arthritis Foundation; and the R.G. Kapfer Endowment Fund of Iowa District West.
The Kapfer Endowment Fund provides one scholarship each year for a seminary student currently on vicarage. Students apply by submitting a sermon. A District pastor (currently Vice-President John Schauer) and the Kapfer family make the final choice in selecting the recipient. This is to encourage good sermon writing among our seminarians and future pastors - just the way President Kapfer would want it.
A Final Note -After Pastor Kapfer's death in 2001, Schroeder suggested Lois write a letter to her grandchildren to explain the purpose of the trust and Lois did just that. The grandchildren now have a personal message from their Grandma Kapfer to remind them that "everything we have comes from the Lord." The letter also encourages them to be good stewards with their blessings. In this last testimony of faith the Kapfers continue to "love them all the way to heaven."
If you would like more information on planning your estate, contact Jim Schroeder at 1.877.913.2221 or e-mail: jim.schroeder@idwlcms.org. Locate a counselor in your district by clicking on Meet the Staff.
Written by Kristin Kaldahl of Spencer.
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