On December 3rd Richard Fries Iseminger of Stevensville Pennsylvania, 96, went with joy and peace into the presence of the Author of "The Book". Richard ("Dick", "Knobby" or "Mr. I") was born July 11, 1925 in Philadelphia to Catherine and Alva Iseminger. In 1943, during the middle of his Sr. year at Haverford High School, Richard enlisted in the US Navy and was sent to quartermaster training school in Rhode Island. While there he also made the decision to make Christ his personal Savior. The same week he finished the quartermaster program, he travelled home to graduate from high school in December 1943. He was then assigned as a quartermaster to an LCI, landing craft in the Pacific for the rest of WW II, returning in 1946.

Richard attended West Chester State College, graduating in 1950 with a degree in music and history education. During this time he started his life-long relationship with Inter Varsity Christian Fellowship and their Ontario Pioneer Camps in Canada. Feeling that "he was the most ignorant of Christians" he studied at Dallas Theological Seminary until 1954. Following this, he returned to active duty with the US Navy and served as a chaplain for the next 10 years. In 1956, while at his first station, El Toro Marine Base in California, he married the former Dorothy Neff of Westgate Hills, PA, who had been teaching as a missionary in Pathankot, Punjab, northern India. He was then transferred to Chincoteague, VA as the base chaplain from '57-'59. Soon after, he served with Destroyer Squadron 6 in the Mediterranean from '59-'61 and was stationed at the Anacostia Naval Station in Washington, DC from '61-'63. His final tour of duty was in Okinawa, Japan. After leaving active duty he returned to seminary to complete his Master of Divinity at Reformed Episcopal Seminary in Philadelphia.

Mr. Iseminger taught music and history in the Philadelphia area until 1970 when he moved his family to Stevensville, PA. Richard taught Jr. High instrumental music at Wyalusing High School, during which time he also served as pastor at Rushville Presbyterian Church. His love for kids and teaching was evident in his involvement in leading church youth groups, and many summers spent working with young people at Ontario Pioneer Camp in Canada.

He retired from teaching in 1992. In his retirement he served for many years with Child Evangelism Fellowship. He also traveled extensively, visiting his children in Alaska, Romania, British Columbia, Arizona and Mozambique. He had a life-long passion for the sea and sailed at every available opportunity. Most of all he loved his Lord Jesus and the Word of God, spending hours a day in study, reading and writing. He kept a daily journal since the age of twelve. Suffering a stroke in 2002 did not diminish his trust in God's control or goodness in his life and he desired to be an example of God's grace in continuing to grow in his faith. His next great love was his wife and children. He was married to Dorothy for 41 years until her death in 1998. He will be greatly missed by his five children, thirteen grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren. Children: Kathryn (Richard) Vieldhouse of Orwell Township; John (Susan) Iseminger of Montepuez, Mozambique; Nancy Iseminger of Stevensville, PA; Carol (Sean) Mills of Laceyville, PA, and Daniel (Karen) Iseminger of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Grandchildren: Beth (Danny) & Neal Broderick of LeRaysville, PA; Kristen Vieldhouse of Lancaster, PA; Sarah Vieldhouse (fiancé Michael Siedlik) of Philadelphia, PA; Rebekah (Steven) & Seth Hakes of Warren Center, PA; Laura Iseminger of Casablanca, Morocco, Mary (Steven) & Keaton, Adelina & Eloise Wright of Cincinnati, OH; Emily (Nathan) & Atticus, Elaina Floor of Fish Hoek, South Africa; Andrew (Amy) & Simeon, Levi Iseminger of Grove City, PA; Kathleen & Natalie Mills of Black Walnut, PA; and Madeline, Kathryn, Joseph Iseminger of Vancouver, British Columbia.

He was a member of Braintrim Baptist Church and for many years, he has been the author of "It's in the Book" for the Rocket-Courier. He played clarinet in the Wyalusing Adult Band.

Many thanks to our neighbor and friend Sheryl Balcomb and the kindness of those with Guthrie Hospice.

A private burial took place at the Lacey St. Cemetery with family. A memorial service will be held Saturday December 18 @ 11am, with calling hours starting @ 9:30 at Braintrim Baptist Church. His greatest prayer had been that each one of you would have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, spending eternity with the Author of "The Book."

Arrangements were made through the Sheldon Funeral Home, Main St., Laceyville, PA 18623.

Online condolences may be made at www.SheldonFuneralHome.com