Richard G. Pedersen of Warren, PA, died on January 8, 2026, at Christiana Care Hospital in Newark, Delaware. He was born April 15, 1950, to the late Garney Mathias and Imogene Ada (Currie) Pedersen. Richard graduated from Warren Area High School in 1968. He attended Edinboro University where he received a B.A. in Biology and a M. Sc. in Microbiology and took many post-graduate courses at Pennsylvania State University.
Richard was employed as a chemist at Van-Air in Erie, PA for several years. He then accepted a position with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service at the U.S. Pasture Lab in University Park, PA. Richard worked as a plant pathologist on the apomixis project with Dr. Robert Sherwood and the plant breeding project with Dr. Clyde Berg for twenty years. When those projects were defunded, he returned to Warren and obtained his wastewater treatment plant operators license and ran sewage treatment plants for Warren and Mead Township. Richard was also employed for twenty years on a part time basis with the U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census, doing monthly surveys in Warren and Forest counties, mostly in the Tidioute area. For the past several years he was an amphitheater usher at Chautauqua Institution. He was a member of Grace United Methodist Church and a Benedictine Oblate of St. Joseph’s Monastery in St. Mary’s, PA. Richard was also a member of the Erie Diocesan Cursillo Movement, Koinonia of Jamestown, Chautauqua County Footsteps and Metanoia prison ministry at SCI Cambridge Springs, SCI Forest in Marienville and SCI Albion.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother Lieutenant Jack Lee Pedersen, USN, missing at sea, his sister-in-law Susan Reynolds and his faithful canine companion, Nelsen. He is survived by his wife Alice Marie (Battles) Pedersen of Warren and several cousins.
He enjoyed gardening, crossword puzzles and antique automobiles, still driving his father’s antique Mercedes-Benz. He enjoyed attending Chautauqua Institution during the summer season, and for the last few years was there for the entire summer while being an amphitheater usher.
Memorial services will be held on Friday January 16 2026, at 4:00 pm at Grace United Methodist Church, 501 Pennsylvania Ave. East Warren, PA, with Deacon Thomas McAraw, Spiritual Director of Erie Cursillo and Rev. William Beaty, pastor of Grace U.M. Church, co-officiating. Burial will be in the Mausoleum of the Ascension at St. Joseph Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to a charity of choice. Online condolences for the family may be sent by visiting www.lewisfuneralhomeinc.com or on our Facebook page. The Donald E. Lewis Funeral Home Inc., has been entrusted by the family for the final funeral arrangements.
I will be forever grateful to Rick Pedersen for the many rides he gave me back and forth to Penn State when I was a graduate student there many years ago. Though I only have seen him twice in the last 44 years, I was blessed by reading his obituary and seeing how he served The Lord Jesus. May God have all the glory!
We were fortunate to be neighbors of Rick and Alice for many years. Rick was always more than a neighbor: a friend who was always ready to lend a hand. To Alice, we are sorry
for your loss and Mindy and I offer our condolences.
Rick was kind enough to give me a ride home for weekends when I was an undergrad student at Penn State for a couple of semesters back in the late ’80s. He had such a gentle spirit and a generous nature and demeanor. My parents were also active in the Cursillo movement in the Erie Diocese, and so I enjoyed our conversations on everything from spiritual topics/Christianity, to things happening in Warren, news of the day–he was a thoughtful person with a good-hearted disposition–the lengthy drive from PSU back to Warren was never a dull one. My deepest sympathies to Alice and to all who loved him. Though his passing is mourned by those he leaves behind, I know the angels are rejoicing as they welcome him into their number. May he rest in peace.
My condolences to Alice with the loss of Rick. You are in my prayers and thoughts.
My prayers and condolences to Alice and the entire family. Rick was an extremely intelligent, curious and faith-based man. I will long remember the flight we took together in my small plane exploring Warren and surrounding counties.
Alice,
I was sorry to hear of Rick’s passing. I remember him as a kind and good man. His service to our Lord is amazing. I hope that you are comforted by many loving memories of your time together. I am also glad that you have such a kind and loving friend in Joanne.
May God Bless you with his loving arms. Janet
Sorry to hear of Rick’s passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.
Dear Alice,
Our thoughts are with you during this difficult time. Sending you love, condolences and prayers.
Mara and Chris Wallingford
Alice, I was so sorry to hear of Rick’s passing. I have fond memories of him throughout our school years, beginning at Lacy. I am grateful we were able to catch up during a Chautauqua concert. He was such a sweet guy, and I am so very sorry for your loss. Sending condolences and prayers.
Debi Dalrymple Grubbs
Alice, I am so very sorry for the loss of your husband. Please know that I am thinking of you and keeping you in my prayers.
I met Rick back in 1975 and we would hang out at the Zodiac Coffee House across from the Library theater in Warren. Summer of 77 was a special year as our group would hang out every weekend for picnics, vollyball, hiking and crazy Jeep rides to Pizza Hut in Lakewood. I remember in those days we would often talk on the CB radios as I would commute home to Sheffield. Although we grew apart because of schooling and family, We would often see each other different locations throughout Warren And it was always like old home days each time. I will miss you brother until we meet again in our Lords kingdom. Alice, I will check in on you soon. Love in Christ, Jay Billstone