Richard D. Alexander
Douglas Alexander (54) of Lynn, Massachusetts went on to be with his Lord and Savior on Saturday, March 2, 2013. He was born in Redwood Falls, Minnesota to Gordon David and the late Barbara Nell (Payne) Alexander. He was the loving husband of Cherrie (Wrench) Alexander, whom he married in Seattle, Washington on January 31, 1988 and the loving father of their six children; Rebekah (Potenza), Hannah, Rachel, Josiah, Samuel and Benjamin.
Richard graduated from Wabasso High School, Wabasso, MN in 1977; received his Bachelor of Science in Christian Ministry, Summa Cum Laude,from Crown College, St. Bonifacius, MN in 1997; and received his Master of Divinity from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, Hamilton, MA in 2004.
He worked at Marsh & McLennan Companies in Seattle, WA from November 1988 to March 1994; North Star Mutual Insurance in Cottonwood, MN from May 1994 to October 1998; and Salem Hospital in Salem, MA from April 1999 to July 2012.
Richard was an active ministry leader at Shiloh Fellowship in Mountlake Terrace, WA; Green Lake Presbyterian Church in Seattle, WA; Redwood Falls Assembly of God in Redwood Falls, MN, where he served as Pastoral Assistant; and since October 1998 an active member of West Congregational Church in Peabody, MA, serving on the Board of Deacons, in music ministry, and as a Sunday School teacher and Vacation Bible School teacher. On February 15, 2013 he accomplished his longtime goal of receiving his Ministerial License with the Conservative Congregational Christian Conference.
Richard’s first and foremost interest was knowing Jesus and making Him known. He participated in street preaching and ministry. He had a voracious hunger for knowledge in just about everything. He loved Biblical studies,playing and listening to music, reading classic literature, watching old movies, studying history, gardening, politics, and sports.
In addition to his wife and children, he is survived by his father, Gordon Alexander; stepmother, Ardis; brotherRobert Alexander and his wife Sonya; sister, Rita Alexander; and niece and nephews, Jennifer Heck, Jason Degenhart, Daniel Alexander and Jonathan Alexander.
A Memorial service will be held at 2pm Saturday, March 9, 2013 at West Congregational Church, 27 Johnson Street, Peabody. Gifts can be directed to the Alexander Family Memorial Fund, Care of West Congregational Church, 27 Johnson Street, Peabody, MA 01960.
Guestbook Entries
Please accept my deepest sympathies. Know we are thinking of you and praying for you. I loved coming to Richard’s parent’s home to take piano lessons with Barbara and have fond memories of my brother Jay and Richard hanging out together.
May his light shine forever bright.
Robin Maasch Frette (Bud and Vi’s daughter)
Richard was a great, fun and supportive friend in my high school and early college years. We painted houses together, played softball, made music (at least WE thought so!) in attempt to form a rock band, filling the country side with the sounds of amplified guitars and crashing cymbals. We speculated about, brainstormed and debated the Big Questions in life, often at Rich’s lead, and even in those days he took the philosophical stance of heart and hope. Mostly I remember all the laughter and fun we shared, the infectious sense of Vision he seemed always to carry, and his authentically kind supportive words that so often inspired me to do more than I imagined I could do.
We send you Cherrie,Rebecca and family our heartfelt and prayerful sympathy at this surely difficult time. Please know we will keep you in our thoughts and prayers in the days to come knowing God is working to comfort and care for you all as well.