Background
Foss, Richard John was born on December 27, 1944 in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, United States. Son of Harlan Funston and Beatrice Naomi (Lindaas) Foss.
Foss, Richard John was born on December 27, 1944 in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, United States. Son of Harlan Funston and Beatrice Naomi (Lindaas) Foss.
Bachelor, St. Olaf College, 1966. Master of Divinity, Luther Theological Seminary, 1971. Master of Theology, Luther Northwest Theological Seminary, 1984.
Pastor St. Andrews Church and Church of Christ the Redeemer, Minneapolis, 1971-1977. Associate pastor First Lutheran, Fargo, North Carolina, 1977-1979. Senior pastor Prince of Peace Lutheran, Seattle, 1979-1986, Trinity Lutheran, Moorhead, Minnesota, 1986-1992.
Bishop Eastern North Dakota Synod, Fargo, 1992—2008. Director contextual learning Luther Seminary, since 2008.
Soloist F-M Opera Company, Fargo, 1979. Coach St. James Girls' Basketball Team, Settle, 1982-1984. Volunteer Washington State Patrol Crisis Chaplaincy, Seattle, 1983-1986.
Board directors Discovery, Inc., Minneapolis, 1972-1977, Highline Boys' and Girls' Club, Burien, Washington, 1980-1981, Lutheran Compass Center, Seattle, 1983-1986, vice president, 1985-1986. Member Master Chorale, 1987-1999. Board regents Concordia College, since 1992.
Board directors Daily Bread, 1991-2000, Lutheran Social Services of North Dakota, 1992-2008, Oak Grove Lutheran High School, 1990-2008, Lutheran Resources Network, 1994-1997, Healthy Congregations Advisory Board, 1997-2005, chair 2004-2005, North Dakota Conference Churches, 1993-2008. Member advisory board Thrivent Finance for Luths., 2000-2008, Center Ethical Leadership, 2001-2005. Member United Way Community Board, 2001-2002.
Board regents Luther Seminary, 2002-2008, faculty member & administration, board chair Healthy Congregations A Lutheran Ministry, Inc., since 2005.
Married Nancy ElizabethMartin, June 21, 1969. Children: Susan, John, Naomi Foss Welsh, Elizabeth, Peter, Andrew.