Pastor Dick Lohman - This Is Your Life!

Undoubtedly, there has been curiosity and speculation regarding this port of tonight’s program. It is indeed unfortunate that we had to title it, “The Surprise Appearance of a Guest Celebrity” on the invitation card, but under the circumstances it was not only necessary – it was the only way. We knew that if it could have been publicized under its true title, we could have filled Fellowship Hall. One comment heard this past week was to the effect that, “Who could a guest celebrity be at Bethlehem except one of the pastors?” I’m sure that the person who made this statement had no idea how much uneasiness and anxiety his remark caused those of us who were planning this little surprise. It is difficult enough to keep a secret, and we had gone to great pains to tell only a few and to keep everyone else in complete ignorance.

However, this chance remark was correct – the guest celebrity is a pastor, although hopefully he knows nothing about it. Therefore, without any further preamble – Pastor Dick Lohman, THIS IS YOUR LIFE! Would you please come up here in front and sit facing the members of the 101 Club while we show a few pictures. We think that these pictures and snapshots will help set the scene for what is to follow. Dick, these will bring back old memories from your childhood, so sit back and watch.

Richard Lohman was born at Fairview Hospital, Minneapolis, Minnesota on April 3, 1924. He is the youngest of three children, and the only boy. The eldest sister, Muriel, is married to a Baptist minister and lives in Chicago. The other sister, Priscilla (Mrs. Ray Jensen) lives here in Minneapolis. Dick grew up in south Minneapolis on 24^th Street and lived there until he went in the Navy at 17 years, after graduating from South High School.

This first picture shows our celebrity at age four months. Right from the start, he was happy and outgoing.

The next picture shows him in a youth chair at age six months. Once again, he is happy and smiling.

Here’s Richard at two years old. By this time, he is quite a boy.

Look at Dick at three with this tricycle. Boy, if we had that trike now it would be a real antique!

The three Lohman children in a family pose. Of course, Dick is on his best behavior.

Here’s Richard with his dog. Dick is the one on the right, I think.

Richard and his Dad were real pals, and here they are together.

Dick with a friend and a model airplane. This picture was taken in July, 1938, so he was about fourteen years old.

Another picture of Dick and his Dad taken in June of 1948. Probably they are deciding on what fishing bait to use?

Here’s Dick at seventeen.

And next, his high school graduation picture. Really a handsome guy.

Right after high school he joined the Navy. Here is the gob with his two sisters.

The sailor in his blues. The ground covering looks just about like it does now outside.

More Navy pictures:

Then a picture of his ship – the U.S.S. General Anderson. 

He was on this Ship from 1942 until 1945 – exactly three years to the day. The notation on this card [to his parents] was, “For mine eyes have seen Thy salvation.” 

It was on this ship that Dick and his buddy, Burton Anderson, organized a Christian fellowship group, and Dick was called “Little Minister.”

Dick was married while in the Navy, and here he is with his first wife, Connie.

Here’s a family picture of Dick, Connie, and their three children, Jean, Doug, and Paul. Connie died of bulbar polio in 1952

Another picture of Dick – a little pensive and serious, perhaps. A fine dedicated Christian young man.

The final picture – the Lohman Family – Dick, Char and their children. Jeffrey in right front, died of leukemia at the age of seven years.

Now, Dick, for some voices out of the past. 

1. You shouldn’t have any difficulty with this first one. MOTHER. Yes, it’s your mother, Mrs. Grace Lohman. We want you to sit right here beside your son, Mrs. Lohman.

2. The next voices might be a little more difficult to identify: MR. AND MRS. JEAN AND CLARENCE TAKVAM. [Referring to the day Dick was baptized] I understand that there were eleven babies baptized that particular Sunday, and Dick and Jean were two of them.

3. Dick, how about this voice? Sound at all familiar? [Dad was completely stumped. He had no idea who this was. Then out walks, not an old girlfriend from the past, but a current friend from church all dolled up and acting up a storm!] Oh, this is little ARLENE LEE, who lived across the street from you when you were 5-6 years old. Remember, on 32^nd Street? Pretty young for sweethearts, but she never married, so you must have made a lasting impression. 

4. How about an old friend? BOB HAGEN The friendship with Bob, Jean, and Clarence goes all the way back to the old Vine Church and early childhood.

5. Dick, this next voice goes back a long way. He remembers you from way back when, too. MR. DELBERT NYHOLM. Mr. Nyhold was Dick’s [science] teacher at the old South High School.

6. This next voice should be very familiar. Your friendship with him was a very close tie. BURTON ANDERSON. You were together on the U.S.S. General Anderson while in the Navy.

7. Here are two voices – a couple who have been very close through the years. HARRY AND EDNA NYE. These are old friends from Bethany Church.

8. Unfortunately, JERRY AND FLORY GRAY, who were next-door neighbors in St. Louis Park, were unable to come. However, they did send their greetings and best wishes.

9. How can you possibly not identify the next voices? MR. AND MRS. JENSEN – RAY AND PRISCILLA. Yes, it’s your sister, Priscilla, and her husband, Ray. She was one of the co-conspirators of this little secret together with your mother and Char. We did our best to get all the information together and not to let anything leak out. We are sorry that (your sister) Muriel couldn’t also be here. Ray and Priscilla come into the picture here because it was at this point after the death of Connie that you all lived together.

10. How about this next voice? Can you identify it? HJALMER ERICKSON. You worked together as printers at Lund Press. Hjalmer was also present at your ordination, and you served together on the board at New Hope Center.

11. Now for a very important voice – one that had a great influence in your life. MONA & HERB LUND. It was through Mona that you met Char, so this started you on a brand new pathway in life. Herb, too, is a good friend.

12. Of course, we can’t leave out the next voice and voices. CHAR AND THE KIDS. This is your family and your life. We are so happy that they could be here to help in this tribute to you.

13. Last, but not least, two voices for you to identify. DAN AND KATHY PETERSON. These are friends from Dick’s first parish in Butterfield, Minnesota. They now live in Burnsville, and Dick and Char see them frequently.

Now would you all come up front for a reunion with Dick. We hope that this has been a significant and meaningful event in your life, Dick!