In Memoriam Richard Ding
Without Pastor Richard Ding there wouldn’t be any big Family Reunions of the Ding-Families. He was the initiator,
motor and the driving force for the cohesion of the large Ding-Families. Now the first Reunion without him takes
place and we all will miss him. This is why we shall commemorate him, but not only should we think of him but of
all family members, who passed away since the last family reunion.
On 26 March 2007 Richard Ding died at the blessed age of 98 years. Born on 10 October 1909 in Edingen, he
grew up as the seventh of nine children of a farming family. The parents Jakob and Elisabeth Ding raised the six
boys and three girls to be responsible people. Solidarity among the extended family’s members was lived as a
matter of course, be it in daily life, at work or at convivial gatherings.
After finishing school and completing his theological studies he assumed his first pastorate as vicar at Lahr
(Germany), which was followed by military service, and 1941 during home leave from the Russian front he married
his school day friend Lilli Ding, née Koch. Together they had three children: Reinhard, Volker and Hannelore.
Having been raised in a godly family, his wife was the ideal pastor’s wife and brought in her numerous talents and
gifts, supporting her family and the parish.
Richard Ding as child among his family
Richard Ding as young man
Richard Ding marries his wife Lilli
In the middle of 1944 the rectorate in Feldberg was assigned to Richard and Lilli Ding. But Pastor Richard Ding
couldn’t assume his pastorate until the autumn of 1945, when he had returned from captivity as a prisoner of war.
His wife Lilli ministered the little congregation on her own during his absence.
In 1953 the family was drawn back to the Electoral Palatinate. Not far away from Edingen, the home of Richard and
Lilli Ding, namely in Oftersheim he assumed his new pastorate. There he was going to do his beneficial work until
his retirement in 1976.
