Richard "Dick" L Spencer

Reverend Dr. Richard L. Spencer, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and devoted Presbyterian minister, passed away peacefully on March 30, 2026, after a period of illness following a stroke. He was 86 years old. Richard spent his life in faithful service to Jesus Christ, his congregations, and the broader community, leaving an enduring legacy across Southern California and the San Francisco Bay Area. 

 

Early Life and Education

Richard was born on February 25, 1940, at home in Hollywood, California, the eighth of nine children born to Wanda and Glenn Spencer. He graduated from Hollywood High School in 1958 and went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts in History from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) in 1962. He was active in leadership at Hollywood Presbyterian Church during this time and was inspired to enter the ministry by his mentor Henrietta Mears. 

 

To pursue that call to ministry, Richard enrolled at Princeton Theological Seminary in New Jersey, where he earned his Bachelor of Divinity in 1965 and later returned to complete a Doctor of Philosophy in Ethics in 1973. He also completed a Master’s program in Psychology at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California, an experience that deepened his approach to pastoral care throughout his ministry.

 

Ministry and Service

La Jolla Presbyterian Church (1965–1970)

Richard began his pastoral career in 1965 as an Associate Pastor at La Jolla Presbyterian Church in La Jolla, California. These early years gave him the opportunity to express his deep Christian commitment through preaching, teaching, and walking alongside congregants through the full range of life's experiences.

 

Marriage and Family

Richard married the great love of his life, Joan Kroesen, in 1968. Joan was his devoted companion and partner in ministry for 57 years. Their marriage was marked by an abiding love and affection that was obvious to all who knew them. Together they raised two daughters, Becky, born in 1976, and Christy, born in 1978.

 

Trinity Presbyterian Church, Pasadena (1975–1979)

In 1975, Richard was called to serve as Senior Pastor at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Pasadena, California. During his time there, he also mentored new pastors and taught courses at Fuller Theological Seminary, nurturing the next generation of faithful Christian leaders.

 

Arcadia Presbyterian Church (1980–1989)

In 1980, Richard joined Arcadia Presbyterian Church as an Associate Pastor. His nine years there were marked by joyful Christian witness and energetic engagement in the community both within and beyond the walls of the church. During this period, Richard became a founding member of the Bioethics Advisory Committee at San Gabriel Valley Medical Center and also served on the Ethics Committee at Arcadia Methodist Hospital, bringing his theological training in ethics and his pastoral understanding of human dignity to some of medicine's most challenging questions. Richard additionally taught classes at Fuller Seminary and Azusa Pacific University during his years in Southern California.

 

Saratoga Presbyterian Church (1991–2007)

In 1991, Richard was called to serve as Senior Pastor at Saratoga Presbyterian Church in Saratoga, California, a position he held for sixteen years until his retirement in 2007. He brought to Saratoga the same abiding faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, personal integrity, scholarly rigor, pastoral warmth, and ethical commitment that had defined every chapter of his ministry.

 

Retired Life 

After retirement, Richard spent two years as Interim Pastor at Mountain View Presbyterian Church, after which he and Joan relocated to Milwaukie, Oregon to be closer to family. Richard spent his last 10 years enjoying life in close proximity to his daughter Christy’s family. Spending time with his grandchildren was a joy for him! Richard and Joan also traveled regularly to Renton, Washington to spend time with daughter Becky and her husband. 

 

A Life of Broader Influence

Beyond his pastoral roles, Richard was faithfully engaged in the governance and life of the Presbyterian Church, serving actively on the Permanent Judicial Commission of the Presbytery. His involvement reflected a lifelong commitment not only to his own congregation, but to the health and integrity of the wider Presbyterian community.

 

His work in biomedical ethics placed him among a pioneering generation of clergy and theologians who helped shape hospital ethics as a formal discipline in American medicine. Later in life, he continued to serve on the biomedical ethics committees at Kaiser Permanente facilities in Campbell, California and Clackamas, Oregon. Richard's expertise in ethics, psychology, and pastoral care made him a trusted voice in difficult conversations about life, death, and the limits of medicine.

 

Survivors

Richard is survived by his beloved wife of 57 years, Joan Spencer; his brother, Chet Spencer; his daughters, Becky Jones (husband Mike Jones) of Renton, Washington, and Christy Polk (husband Eben Polk) of Portland, Oregon; and his cherished grandchildren, Evie Polk and James Polk. He was preceded in death by his parents, Wanda and Glenn Spencer, and seven of his siblings.

 

Remembrance

Richard Spencer spent his active years in service to Christ and others, asking the deep questions of scripture, ethics, and the human heart and inviting others to ask them alongside him. Whether in the pulpit, the classroom, the hospital ethics committee room, or the homes of those he served, he brought his joyful Christian convictions, careful thought, genuine compassion, energetic witness, and an abiding conviction that every human life carries sacred worth. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

 

A memorial service will be held at Oak Hills Presbyterian Church in Milwaukie, Oregon, where his daughter serves as Pastor. Services will be held at 1pm on Saturday, May 16, 2026. In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations to LOVE, Inc of Clackamas County (https://clackamasloveinc.org/give/), a nonprofit that fosters collaboration and organizes holistic care to help churches serve their neighbors through resources and relationships, or to Whitworth University, a beloved institution that both of his daughters attended (https://whitworth.givevirtuous.org/donate/whitworth-gives).