Rev. Harry Richardsen, a long-time Chester, NJ resident, passed away peacefully on Christmas morning, December 25, 2024, at his daughter and son-in-law’s home in Succasunna, NJ where he and his beloved wife Ingrid have been living since December 2018.  Harry had recently celebrated his 100^th birthday in May, happily surrounded by friends and family, but then suffered health complications this summer.  Harry was born in Staten Island, NY on May 8, 1924 to Norwegian and Danish immigrants.  He served in the U.S. Coast Guard during WW II, first in New England and Greenland and then in the Pacific Arena where he was a navigator and signalman.  When he returned from the war, he earned his Bachelor’s Degree from the Nyack Missionary Institute, in Nyack, NY, married Ingrid Aasby, and earned his degree in Theology from the Trinity Theological Seminary in Chicago, IL. Harry and Ingrid had seven (7) children.

After graduating from seminary, Harry pastored a church in Barrington, New Hampshire and then another church in Rockaway, NJ.  He then embarked on a 30-year career with the Social Security Administration but stayed actively involved at Hillside Lutheran Brethren Church in Succasunna, serving as a Deacon, Elder, Sunday School teacher and Superintendent, Boys Brigade leader, a member of the Choir, lots of committees, and also filled in for pastors on holidays and sabbaticals.  In his retirement, he also drove a limousine and a school bus.  At home, he stayed busy doing yard work and maintaining his beautiful home and pool.  He enjoyed reading, doing puzzles, playing Chicken Foot (dominoes), and watching westerns.  Always a sports enthusiast, Harry’s absolute favorite activity was watching Duke basketball and Yankees baseball. He loved them.

Harry is survived by his wife of 72 years, Ingrid (Aasby) Richardsen (now 97 years old). They were married on June 14, 1952 at the Salem Evangelical Free Church in Staten Island, NY.  His children are Gareth (and Beverly) Richardsen of Lake Hopatcong, NJ; Jeffrey Richardsen of Chester, NJ; Ruth (and Eugene) McBride of LaGrange, KY; Wesley Richardsen of Duarte, CA; Nancy (and Paul) Kalleberg of Succasunna, NJ; Lise (and Steve) Feller of Chester, NJ; and Audrey Richardsen of Tewksbury, NJ. He is also survived by 9 grandchildren – Sarah, Audrey, Ashley, Austin, Paul Mikael (and wife Sarah), Carolyn (and husband Dave), Michele (and husband Nick), David, and Emily; and 3 great grandchildren – Davey Beth, Campbell Graham, and Ida Dahl.  Harry was pre-deceased by his three siblings, Frank (and Evelyn) Richardson; Ethel (and Harvey) Gustafson; and Margaret (and Norris) Prall, as well as many dear friends and other family members who he will be joyfully reuniting with in Heaven.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, January 11^th, 2025 at 11 am at the Hillside Lutheran Brethren Church in Succasunna, NJ, with Military Honors, followed by a luncheon at the Hillside Church fellowship hall. The internment will take place at the Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Chester, at a later date.

  Arrangements are by the Davis & Hepplewhite Funeral Home, 96 Main Street, Succasunna, NJ. 973-584-7264

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to the Hillside Church, Morristown Market Street Mission, or to the World Vision International.