Richard Paul "Dick" Grance

Of New Kensington, age 87, passed away at home on Sunday, April 19, 2026, enfolded in the love and prayers of family and friends.

Richard was born on June 30, 1938 in Pittsburgh to Frederick and Perdelia Grance. He and his brother Earl grew up in the Bloomfield area of Pittsburgh where Richard attended Friendship Grade School and Peabody High School.

He went on to pursue a M.Div. degree from Capital University and Trinity Lutheran Seminary. He was ordained as a Lutheran minister on June 14, 1964.

In 1980, Richard married Barbara (Banks) Grance, and they shared 46 years together. He is survived by Barbara and his two children, Rebecca Sue (Duane) Kahle and Benjamin (Heather) Grance, and two grandchildren, Olivia and Parker Grance, who affectionately knew him as Papa G. He is also survived by his sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, as well as many nieces and nephews. 

Richard had served at five churches between 1964 and 2003 until his retirement from First Evangelical Lutheran Church in New Kensington, PA. Feeling called to continue serving the church, Richard then became an interim minister at 10 congregations, including six years at St. Paul's Highfield Lutheran Church in Vandergrift, leading worship services until December 2022. 

Richard continued to serve the Lutheran faith and his communities outside of his ministerial duties, serving on myriad local organizations, including Retired Servants Committee, Synod Council, local Pericope and Ministerial groups, and the New Kensington Senior Citizen Board. He enjoyed keeping in touch with a group of seminary friends who met regularly, and attending Spiritual Community retreats at Camp Sequanota. Notably, Richard also portrayed St. Nicholas and Santa in various church and community events.

Richard will be remembered and missed by many for his kindness, his faith, and his willingness to listen to and help others. We will even miss his jokes.

Richard was laid to rest at Penn Forest Natural Burial Park, Verona. A Celebration of Life worship service will take place at Nativity Lutheran Church, 4517 Mt. Royal Blvd., Allison Park PA 15101, on Saturday, May 9, at 1:30 pm. Following the service, from 3:00 to 4:30pm, there will be a visitation time/reception with "fancy cakes and coffee". All are welcome to attend one or both. Arrangements by Natural Funeral Company. Memories and condolences may be left at www.naturalfuneralcompany.com.