H. Richard Harp, retired minister
H. Richard “Dick” Harp, 90, passed away at his home in Winding Creek Village, Millsboro, Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2020, due to heart failure.
Dick was born in Detroit, Mich., April 18, 1930; he was the secondborn to Harry (also a minister) and Henrietta Harp. He moved with his family to Milwaukee, Wis., and later to Atlanta, Ga., where he graduated from Bass High School. Graduating with an AB from Anderson College in Indiana, he returned to Georgia where he graduated from Columbia Theological Seminary, with his Bachelor of Divinity. He served as the associate pastor to his father at the Neighborhood Chapel Church of God in Atlanta, and became the senior pastor at the church following his father’s death, remaining there for five years. He went on to serve as minister at National Memorial Church of God in Washington, D.C., from 1958-95.
On June 11, 1953, Dick married his beloved sweetheart, Clella Fleenor; this past June they celebrated their 67th anniversary. Dick leaves behind Clella, their five children: Kathy (John Pistole), Jan, Stuart (Jeri Harp), David (Lisa Harp), and DeEtta; and 11 grandchildren: Lauren and Jennifer Pistole, Sam and Will Cook, Amelia, Ian and Sarah Harp, Ethan and Jacob Harp, and Erin and Megan Wittenberg. Dick also leaves behind his brothers Bob, Phil, Dave and Tom, and his sister Betty.
While serving in Washington, D.C., Dick was involved in the Washington Council of Churches, the Ecumenical Institute, and was director of the Camp Woodbrook Youth Camp. Over the years he opened the National Memorial Church and shared its space with a Montessori School, a Hispanic congregation displaced by the riots in 1968, and later a Haitian congregation. He opened the church to countless travelling students of Anderson College, and mentored many. He loved the city of Washington, and being an unofficial tour guide.
Upon retiring to Winding Creek Village in 1995, Dick and Clella became members at Epworth United Methodist Church in Rehoboth. They enjoyed singing in the choir and playing with the handbell choir. He performed with the Delaware Choral Society and volunteered at the Cape Henlopen Food Basket, and in a multitude of other ways.
Dick lived a joyful, active life, and had a dry and often impish sense of humor; he was an avid swimmer, photographer, skier, and boater, and shared that love with his children and grandchildren. He was resourceful and handy, and built whatever he needed; loved classical music and had a beautiful tenor voice, and was a natural leader. He was a progressive and open-minded man of faith, who lived a life of gracious giving love of others throughout his life.
