Tribute

It is with great sadness but also much love that the family of Reverend Richard Hohensee announce that Richard peacefully passed away on Saturday, September 24th, 2022, in White Rock, British Columbia. Richard lived a full life that was dedicated to God and to his family. It was a life that included much happiness and also some challenges. Richard’s life began on August 17th, 1933, in Chelmno, Poland. He was born to Erdmann and Matilda Hohensee, who were Christian parents of German descent. He also has an older sister, Wiltraut (Hohensee) Henschel. Richard’s early days were happy. However, life became significantly more challenging when World War II broke out. During the war, the Hohensee family lost nearly everything, and as a result, in 1951, they decided to immigrate to Canada. Richard was still a teenager when he and his family began this new life across the Atlantic.  Shortly after immigrating and having started out in Morris Manitoba, another challenge presented itself: Richard suffered a severe head injury in a logging accident while working for the Manitoba Paper Company. The injury left Richard partially paralyzed on his right side. Soon after, Richard committed his life to Christ. Thus, the injury and his subsequent conversion marked a new chapter in Richard’s life.  Richard, his parents, and his sister moved from Morris to Winnipeg in 1952 and began attending McDermot Avenue Baptist Church. Richard became involved in the youth ministry at McDermot and eventually was selected for a leadership role. It was through the experiences associated with that youth ministry that Richard first felt that God may be calling him to a life of ministry.  During this time, which was the late 1950s, Richard also met his future wife, Inge Hettig. As Richard’s and Inge’s relationship grew, so did the certainty of the call to ministry. Richard and Inge were married in 1961 and shortly thereafter moved to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, so Richard could attend the North American Baptist Seminary. It was there, that Richard and Inge’s first child, Charles Hohensee, was born.  In 1963, Richard graduated from seminary and began his life-long vocation as a church pastor. In all, Richard served six North American Baptist Churches: in Edmonton, he served Lauderdale Baptist Church (Summer, 1962), Namao Park Baptist Church (1963-1965), and Central Baptist Church (1965-1975); in Kelowna, he served Trinity Baptist Church (1975-1985); and in the Vancouver Lower Mainland, he served Immanuel Baptist Church (1985-1992), and Bethany Baptist Church (1992-2012). While in Edmonton, Richard and Inge’s second child, Gordon Hohensee and third child Christine (Hohensee) Dreger, were born.  Richard was beloved by the congregations he served. He was known for being good natured, for always being positive, and for having a humble disposition. He was good listener and, at the same time, a good communicator and powerful speaker. He led by example and always sought to foster relationships with people, extend hospitality to others, and fellowship with like-minded Christians.  Although Richard was dedicated and tireless as a pastor, he also enjoyed a number of fun hobbies over the years, from fishing, to swimming, to gardening and growing fruit trees, to playing board games, to watching sports and cheering on his favorite teams. He never let his physical disability deter him from engaging in physical activities, including activities like rowing boats, bowling, playing ping pong, or working on projects like constructing a work bench or fruit dryer. Additionally, the family life that Richard established and maintained was characterized by happiness, laughter, affection, mutual respect, and unconditional love.
Richard is survived by his beloved wife, Inge, and his three children and their families, which include seven grandchildren, as well as by his sister Wiltraut and her family. Although his family will greatly miss him, they are comforted in knowing that he is now with the Lord.