LUPKE, Richard Dearing

The White Mountain Independent, Show Low, Arizona ~ 01/27/2006 Richard Dearing Lupke Richard D. Lupke was born May 15, 1928 in New York City. He spent much of his young adult life working in advertising and making his way through college. Richard's path eventually led him to a life devoted to God as he became an ordained Presbyterian minister May 16, 1954. His work touched and guided many lives throughout his 40 years of service. Richard also reached out to his Native American neighbors in Lac du Flambeau, WI, Chicago, Ill. and Chinle. In Chicago, Richard directed the Church Federation's Chicago Indian Ministry, where he was instrumental in guiding urban Native American's aspirations to develop community organizations of their own and in lobbying for better housing for low income residents. His civil rights efforts have been cited in books and dissertations such as those by the historians James B. LaGrand and Deborah Browning LeVeen. In Arizona, he helped reconstruct a local dam, was involved in building a new hospital as well as a school for learning disabled children, and was integral in the starting of a community newspaper on the Navajo reservation. Richard loved doing God's work and his talents were well shared. In addition to serving his community as a clergyman, a life of politics was not far off for Richard. In the early 80s, he became an elected member of the Apache County Superior Court in St. Johns, where he held the position of County Clerk for 13 years. He was also the Chairman of the Apache County Democratic Party. But even though his jobs kept him very busy, Richard and his wife, Suzanne, whom he married in February 1982, continued their ministry by holding church services in their Concho Valley home. Being a spiritual leader was Richard's true calling. In 1994 Richard retired from public service in order to better focus on sharing God's Word. He and Suzanne moved to Florence, Ariz. and Richard served as minister for the John Calvin Presbyterian Church in Apache Junction. There, Richard spent many hours visiting with the elderly, homebound, and infirm as well as working with individuals affected by Alzheimer's disease. In 1998 Richard himself was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. In 2004, Richard was moved into a group home in Mesa,where he lived until his passing Jan. 11, 2006. Richard is survived by his loving wife, Suzanne, three children; Christopher Lupke of Pullman, Wash., Scott Lupke of Wickenberg, and Karen Lupke Shute of Mesa, his three step-children; Wendy Martin Stars of Zepher Hills, Fla., David Martin and Elizabeth Anne Martin Hamilton, both of Newton Falls, N.Y., eight grandchildren, his sister, Lucille Dearing Lupke of Brewster, N.Y., and his previous wife, Clara V. Lupke of Scottsdale. Memorial services will be held Saturday, Jan. 28 at 11 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church of Mesa 161 North Mesa Drive in Mesa. (480) 964-8606. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made Hospice of the Valley, East Office at 777 W. Southern Ave, No. 301, Bldg C, Mesa AZ 85210-5062 (480) 730-5980 or Cook College and Theological School, 708 S Lindon Ln Tempe, AZ 85281 (480) 968-9354.