The Rev. Richard Gordon Matson, 82, of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, died of cancer on Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2014, under the care of Hospice of North Idaho.

Dick was born Nov. 14, 1932, in Eau Claire, Wis., to Blanche K. and Laverne "Rocky" Rockwell. He was later adopted by his stepfather, Roy H. Matson. Dick was baptized at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Eau Claire, and was confirmed at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Whitehall, Wis.

Dick graduated as Valedictorian from Central High School in Strum, Wis., in 1951 from St. Olaf College, Northfield, Minn., with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1959 and from Luther Theological Seminary, St. Paul, Minn., with a Masters of Divinity Degree in 1964. He was ordained at Strum Lutheran Church, Strum, Wis., his hometown church. He studied pipe organ and theology for one year at Tbingen University in Germany.

Dick served ship-board as a radar man in the U.S. Navy for four years, stationed out of San Diego during the Korean War. While serving in the military, he sensed God's calling to Christian Ministry.

In June 2014, Dick celebrated 50 years in pastoral ministry. He served Valier Lutheran Church in Valier, Mont.; Faith Lutheran Church in Great Falls, Mont.; La Jolla Lutheran Church in La Jolla, Calif.; Resurrection Lutheran Church in Torrance, Calif.; San Vicente Community Church in Ramona, Calif.; Solana Beach Presbyterian Church in Solana Beach, Calif.; Trinity Lutheran Church in Coeur d'Alene; Clark Fork Lutheran Church in Clark Fork, Idaho; and St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Hayden, Idaho.

Additionally, Dick served in music ministry at Strum Lutheran Church; in St. Paul, Minn. churches; at four churches in the San Diego area; and at Trinity Lutheran Church in Coeur d'Alene.

Alongside his ministry in churches, Dick at one point directed Oak Glen, a California residential facility addressing the needs of troubled girls. He also launched a chaplaincy program at the Green Hospital of Scripps Clinic and Research Foundation in La Jolla, Calif. - and served five years as its first chaplain.

Dick's overall passion in life has been to grow in his own relationship to Jesus Christ, and to help others to do the same. Teaching and preaching God's Word was his joy. His life and ministry were significantly impacted by the truths of the Bible, by Campus Crusade for Christ's training in personal evangelism, by Yoke Fellows Prison Ministry, and by the writings of Oswald Chambers and Eugene Peterson.

Dick is survived by his wife of 46 years, Pat (Miller); his two daughters: Ann Conte (Aaron) of Amesbury, Mass., and Kari Neff (Harry) of Spokane, Wash.; three brothers: Jim (Carol) of Bull Shoals, Ark., Fred (Dianne) of Oakdale, Minn., and Erik (Kathleen) of Rhinelander, Wis.; six grandchildren: Laura, Caroline, Sarah, and Mason Conte of Amesbury, Mass., Francis and Callen Neff of Spokane, Wash.; nieces and nephews, cousins, stepmother Roseanne (Rockwell) MacMillan, and many friends.

The memorial service for Dick will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 19, 2014, at St. Mark's Lutheran Church, 9485 N. Maple in Hayden, Idaho, 83835, and at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2015, at Solana Beach Presbyterian Church, 120 Stevens Ave., Solana Beach, Calif., 92075.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be offered to either of the churches hosting Dick's memorial services, or to the Union Gospel Mission, P.O. Box 4066, Spokane, Wash., 99220-0066 uniongospelmission.org.

Although saddened by the loss of Dick, family and friends rejoice in the truth of the psalmist's words: "You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand." - Psalm 16:11