Bishop Richard L. Shimpfky died on February 28

With sadness we report the death of the Right Reverend Richard Lester Shimpfky, DD, who departed this life February 28.

Bishop Shimpfky served as rector of Christ Church, Ridgewood, NJ, from 1977 to 1990 before his election as Bishop of El Camino Real in California. He graduated from Virginia Theological Seminary and was deaconed in June 1970 and ordained priest in June 1971.

While in the Diocese of Newark, during his time in Ridgewood, he served as member and chair of the Standing Committee, Christian Education Commission, and the Commission on Ministry.

In the Diocese of Long Island, Bishop Shimpfky served at St. George's Church in Flushing, NY.

Most recently he served as Bishop-in-residence to Christ Church, Short Hills, NJ, from December 2009 until November 2010.

Survivors include his wife of 45 years, Jamel, his children Allison, Joshua and Trevor and grandchildren Hannah and Grace.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 12 at 11:00 a.m. at Christ Church, Ridgewood, with Bishop Mark Beckwith of the Diocese of Newark officiating.

For directions please visit: 

www.christchurchridgewood.org

Notes of condolence may be sent to:

Mrs. Jamel Shimpfky

42 Kira Lane

Ridgewood, NJ 07450

[Episcopal News Service]   The Rt. Rev. Richard Lester Shimpfky was remembered March 1 as an ardent supporter of Episcopal Asiamerican and Latino ministries, and for his spiritual leadership and humility.

Shimpfky, 70, served as the second bishop of the Diocese of El Camino Real from 1990 to 2004, and most recently was bishop-in-residence at Christ Episcopal Church in Short Hills in the Diocese of Newark. He died Feb. 28 with his wife of 45 years, Jamel Kassim Shimpfky, and other family members gathered around him, according to an email from the Newark diocese.

"The people of Episcopal Diocese of El Camino Real give thanks to God for the life and work of Bishop Shimpfky as their second bishop. While we are saddened by his death, we rejoice that he is now at peace," Bishop Mary Gray-Reeves said in a statement emailed to ENS. "We will honor Richard's life with a memorial service at Trinity Cathedral in San Jose at a later date.

"Several members of the diocese will attend his services in Ridgewood, New Jersey," Gray-Reeves added.

"As a former Asian missioner of the Diocese of El Camino Real, I will miss Richard as a bishop, a pastor and a personal friend," said the Rev. Winfred Vergara, missioner for Episcopal Asiamerica ministries for the Episcopal Church.

"It was during his episcopacy that the diocesan ethnic ministries flourished," Vergara said in a March 1 email to Episcopal News Service.  "We traveled together in China and shared many joys and challenges in the ministry," Vergara wrote. "When he retired as diocesan bishop and humbly served as interim rector of St. George Episcopal Church in Flushing, NY, he became a well-loved spiritual leader of its Chinese congregation, one of the largest Asian congregations in the Episcopal Church. Bishop Shimpfky is a devoted supporter of the Episcopal Asiamerica Ministry; his constant encouragement, humble example and wise counsel will be greatly missed."

The Rev. Dr. Paul Xie, St. George's Chinese missioner, agreed. "Since Bishop Shimpfky came here in February 2005, the Chinese congregation has been growing, and also the Latino congregation," he said in a telephone interview from his Flushing, NY, office. Shimpfky left the parish in Nov. 2010, Xie said. 

Shimpfky was born Oct. 18, 1940 in Albuquerque, New Mexico, to Thelma Louise and Henry Lester Shimpfky. He graduated in 1963 with a bachelor's degree from the University of Colorado. He was awarded both master of divinity (1970) and doctor of divinity (1991) degrees from the Virginia Theological Seminary.

He was ordained a deacon on June 20, 1970 and a priest June 1, 1971 by Philip Alan Smith, bishop suffragan of Virginia, and served several congregations in Virginia and New Jersey prior to his 1990 consecration as Bishop of El Camino Real.

He was assistant rector at St. Peter's, Arlington (1970-1972,) and rector of All Saints, Alexandria from 1972 to 1977 before moving to Christ Church in Ridgewood, where he served 15 years as rector.

He was also active on diocesan and provincial levels, serving as Province VIII president from 1994 to 2004 and as vice president from 1992 to 1994.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by three children, Allison, Joshua and Trevor, and two grandchildren.

-- The Rev. Pat McCaughan is a correspondent for the
Episcopal News Service. She is based in Los Angeles.

.