Roderick "Rick" Andrew Hathaway

Rev. Roderick “Rick” Andrew Hathaway, 72, of Winfield, KS entered his heavenly home on Thursday, September 26, 2024 after a stay at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita, KS.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 A.M. Friday, October 4, 2024 at Trinity Lutheran Church. Burial will follow at the Kansas Veterans Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 6-8 P.M. on Thursday, October 3 at Trinity Lutheran Church. Memorial contributions may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church and School. Donations may be left in the care of the Shelley Family Funeral Home of Winfield.

Rick was born on April 25, 1952 in Monte Vista, CO to parents Lloyd and Catherine (Metz) Hathaway. He graduated from high school in Swink, CO in 1970. Rick joined the U.S. Navy in 1971 and served as an operations specialist aboard the U.S.S. Cook, DE 1083 in South America, Southeast Asia, and at several naval bases on the east and west coasts. He was honorably discharged in 1975. On October 15, 1972, Rick was united in marriage to Debra Lynn Daehn in La Junta, CO. Rick attended St John’s College and Southwestern College in Winfield earning a B.A. in Elementary Education. He taught in Winfield Public Schools from December 1979 to 1981. In the fall of 1981, Rick entered Concordia Theological Seminary in Ft. Wayne, IN, graduating in 1985 with a Master of Divinity degree. He served as Vicar of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Lakewood, CO from August 1983 to August 1984. He was ordained into the ministry in June 1985 at Trinity Lutheran Church in La Junta, CO. Rick was installed at Faith Lutheran Church of Plano, TX in July 1985, serving as assistant pastor until accepting the call to Trinity Lutheran Church in Winfield, KS in 1990, where he would serve as pastor for 28 years. Rick enjoyed reading, studying history and geology, rock hunting, birdwatching, and woodworking. He served on the Winfield Police Reserve, the board of the Cowley County Museum, was a member of the Sunrise Kiwanis Club, the American Legion, and was the chaplain for the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War. Known as Bob-o, Papa, and Rodbo, he loved sharing his passions and hobbies with his grandchildren and spending time with his family.

 Survivors include his wife of 52 years, Debra Hathaway, children Jennifer Kirkpatrick (Christopher), Jessica Coulson (David), Justin Hathaway (Karen), John Hathaway (Paula), seven grandchildren Dagny and Declan Kirkpatrick, Aubrey, Calder, and Grant Coulson, and Harper and Andrew Hathaway, step-grandchildren Taylor (Mark) Nzeocha, and Brynne Gardner, step great-grandchildren Cameron, Caden, and Amara Nzeocha, and sisters Janice Hathaway and Susan Hathaway. Rick was preceded in death by his parents, Lloyd and Catherine Hathaway. Those who knew him best always recognized his signature anchor, which reminded him of his favorite scripture, Hebrews 6:19, “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.”