14 Sep Remembering Bishop Waldfogel

Here are some thoughts about Bishop Raymond Waldfogel, who passed away last night, from UB church leaders who knew him well.

C. Ray Miller, Bishop, 1973-1993

Raymond and Wardena were very good friends of Lanie and me. We knew Raymond as a fulltime superintendent in the North Ohio Conference, as a bishop, as a pastor, as a hospital chaplain, and as a friend. It was certainly a real privilege to know him in all these ways. We worked together in the denominational offices, when we served together as bishops. His counsel was always very much appreciated. It was our privilege to stay with them in their home and to travel together to NAE conventions.

More recently, it was a privilege to visit with him in a nursing home. I was amazed at his sense of humor and his wonderful attitude, in spite of his pain and suffering. He had a real interest in the work of the denomination and talked often of the pastors on his district, whom he prayed for fervently. As a pastor, he took a deep interest in the members of the congregation and often shared some of the good experiences he was having.

Raymond will be missed greatly, not only by his family, but by those of us who knew him and loved him

Paul Hirschy, Bishop, 2001-2005

I will remember Raymond as a huge gentle man! He was very much interested in helping others who were going through difficult times. This is one of the things that made him such a good fit for the chaplain’s role at the Huntington hospital and the visitation role at the College Park Church. We are going to miss him!

Ron Ramsey, Bishop, 2005-2009

Bishop Waldfogel was a great man of prayer. I loved to hear him pray. Maybe it was in part his deep, resonate voice, but you got the impression that he knew God well enough to be very personal with him in prayer. He was also a great man of faith. I suppose that goes with prayer. He was a great encourager, and could see good even in bad situations. He was a loyal friend and brother. I don’t recall ever hearing him say anything bad about anyone.

He had a very well-honed sense of humor, a dry wit that sometimes went over your head until later when you would get it. He was fun to be with! He was a man of humility. He was a leader in a rather understated way. He didn’t wave a flag that said “I am the leader,” but when I was around him I recognized his leadership abilities. He made it easy to follow him as a leader. He was a forceful preacher, delivering deep content with a deep voice that commanded your attention.

He loved his wife and family deeply. He lived his faith. What he believed he lived. He was faithful, consistent, humorous, loving, generous, fun to be with, and treated people with respect.

Gary Dilley, Senior Pastor, College Park Church (Huntington, Ind.)

Our friend and colleague, Raymond Waldfogel, has faced declining health in recent months. After his passing Tuesday evening, staff in the care facilities came to express their appreciation to the family for Raymond. He had brightened the skilled care wing of Heritage Pointe in Warren, Ind., by daily “singing praises” to his Lord.

We at College Park Church will miss Raymond greatly. He served for many years at CP doing pastoral care, along with chaplaincy at the Parkview Huntington Hospital. He was teaching Sunday school until a few months ago when his health no longer allowed him to continue. Ray was still writing sermons in his mind right up until the closing days!

We celebrate a servant of the Lord receiving his reward, but also grieve with the family in the loss of someone we cared about deeply.