Richard Pendell

Rev. Richard Wallace Pendell, a loving husband, father and grandfather went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Wednesday, May 6, 2020 at his residence.
He was born on July 13, 1932 in Mt. Sterling, Ohio, the son of the late Ashley Nelson Pendell and Lois Leitch Pendell. He is also preceded in death by a son, Gregory Pendell; a brother and sister-in-law, Raymond and Betty Donahue Pendell; a daughter in-law, Cassie Eggleston Pendell; and a brother-in-law and sister-in-law, David and Janet Metzger Smith.
He is survived by his loving devoted wife of 66 years, Marjorie Metzger Pendell of Lynchburg, VA. They were married on July 4, 1953 in Columbus, Ohio and faithfully served the Lord together throughout their married life. He is also survived by a son, Zach Pendell of Marcellus, MI; three daughters and sons-in-law, Gwen and Jerry Shellhaas of Galloway, Ohio, Gail and David Maxey Sr. of Oxford, PA., and Geisel and Kevin Nye of Lynchburg, VA; a daughter-in-law, Jane Pendell of Goode, VA; eleven beloved grandchildren he prayed for everyday of their lives, Brandon Pendell, Travis Pendell, David Maxey Jr., Megan Pendell, Garrett Maxey, Scott Pendell and wife, Jamie Pendell, Emily Pendell, Colton Nye, Olivia Nye, Eliana Shellhaas, Andrew Nye; his beloved sister and brother-in-law, Annie and Earl Peterson of Seneca, S.C.; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Rev. Pendell was a graduate of: West High School, Columbus, Ohio in 1950; Crown College (formerly St. Paul Bible College) St. Paul, MN, 1950-1954, Missions Degree; Houghton College, Houghton, NY, 1954-1956, BA Degree; Alfred University, Alfred, NY, 1957. He also did under graduate working linguistics at the Univ. of North Dakota.
He was the pastor of Andover Christian & Missionary Alliance Church; Andover, NY, 1954-1956 to fulfill requirements for oversees missionary assignment with the Christian & Missionary Alliance. Rev. Pendell taught 8th grade history and coached basketball at Belfast Central School, Belfast, NY, 1956-1959 while awaiting assignment for oversees missionary service. Together with his wife, they were appointed to establish churches in the Mekong Delta Region of South Vietnam with the Christian & Missionary Alliance; 1959-1975. They faithfully served the people of Vietnam during the war teaching English, overseeing a Youth Center in Saigon and Cantho, and helping to establish churches throughout Vinh Long area. They saw many come to salvation as a result of their dedication to the Lord. He was appointed to work with the World Relief Commission in 1968-1976, continuing his work in Vietnam, South Korea, Honduras, Chad, Africa, and Bangladesh, India, distributing relief aide to those most in need.
After 17 years of missionary service they returned to the states and continued helping the Vietnamese refugees resettle to the US. He obtained a new job working for Preferred Risk Insurance where he became the Senior Church Insurance Specialist for the Northeast Region of the US.
While traveling the world, he met many wonderful people and made lifelong friendships. They always remained in service to the Vietnamese community wherever they lived, especially the Vietnamese Alliance Church in St. Petersburg, Florida; where they enjoyed a wonderful retirement for 22 years. They moved to Lynchburg, Va. in 2016 and loved being near their children and grandchildren in these final years.
A private graveside service will be held at Spring Hill Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers please consider donating to: Healing Hearts Vietnam https://healingheartsvietnam.com