Richard L. Michael
Richard LeRoy Michael, born on September 26, 1946. The son of Pearl and LeRoy
Michael, grew up in Pennsylvania. Even in his childhood, his dedication to God
and to his fellow man were clear. Richard was involved in Church choir,
scouting, & Luther League throughout his childhood and teen years. He received
the prestigious "Pro Deo Et Patria" Award for Service to God & Country. His
dedication extended into civil defense as Assistant Shelter Manager & Medical
Officer for West York Borough. He earned the highest score & was asked to join
the Fire Co., but he had to wait until he was 18 years old. Meanwhile...in the city of brotherly love, Carolyn Kay, was also growing &
perfecting her talents for service. Richard & Carolyn were married on June 21,
1969. Carolyn received her Master’s Degree in March of 1972 from Shippensburg.
The young minister's wife, immediately began teaching school, helping to support
Richard in the process. Richard graduated from Gettysburg Lutheran Theological Seminary on May 18,
1973. Richard Michael received his Ordination on June 22, 1973 from Gettysburg
Lutheran Theological Seminary. The Ordination was held at Susquehanna University
in Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania. Richard graduated from Gettysburg Lutheran
Theological Seminary on May 18, 1973.Richard Michael received his Ordination on
June 22, 1973 from Gettysburg LutheranTheological Seminary. The Ordination was
held at Susquehanna University in Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania. The Reverend Richard L. Michael was installed at St. James Lutheran Church,
Union Bridge, Maryland on July 15, 1973.From 1973-1989, Reverend Michael has
served as treasurer, secretary & president of the Union Bridge Ministerium. From
1974-1976 he served the in Westminster Ministerium, with a Saturday morning
taped show for the Radio Ministry. From 1989 to the present, he has served as
secretary and president of the Greater Pipe Creek Area Ministerium. From 1974 to
the present, he has taught first aid& CPR at Lehigh. From 1975 through 1981 he
served on the Synod Executive Board (now the Synod Council.) He served on the
Board of Directors of the Heart Association 1976-1978.Wearing a different hat,
he has been Fire Chief (1978) of the Union Bridge Fire Department, where he also
served as Ambulance Captainf rom 1980-1993 and again from 1996-1997. He has
served as chaplain from 1974-1998, with the exception of 2 years in which he
served as Assistant Chaplin. Keeping his head even in emergencies, he delivered
the first of the Gaver triplets (in an ambulance!) These are but a few highlights from Pastor Michael’s many years of service.
From August 1984 through June 1991 he served as the Chaplain at Carroll Lutheran
Village. He has performed the time consuming tasks of typing out church
bulletins and composing newsletters, and baking bread for the communion
services. With his versatility, he has done the lighting and audio work for
synod conventions. For the 100th Anniversary of theCarroll County 4 H Fair he
performed A wedding ceremony which demonstrated one of the old traditions of the
fair. Also Rev. Richard Michael has been the minister at Mount Union from 1993
to the present. As adjunct faculty member, from 1994 to the present, he has
taught adult education in First Aid at Carroll Community College. A heroic figure, Rev. Richard Michael has continually met our churches and
community members’ spiritual, emotional and even physical needs, both great and
small. Richard & Carolyn, a dedicated teacher and minister’s wife until her
untimely death in 2003, together managed to raise three wonderful children, Tom,
Jennifer and Tiffany.