My first radio job in Madison included recording news feeds from field reporters and community leaders, including some commentaries from the Rev. Richard Pritchard, who died this week at the age of 100. That was my first contact with the spiritual leader who was the conscience of the community for much of his long life.
The Wisconsin State Journal obituary contains details of Pritchard’s long career, and comments from community leaders. Paul Soglin, whose various times in office fall short of Pritchard’s long tenure in Madison, called the pastor’s role in establishing the Equal Opportunities Commission “a magnificent contribution to the city.”
In 1986 I covered Pritchard in a debate with prominent local atheist Anne Gaylor at the Wisconsin State Historical Society auditorium. Son-in-law Dan Barker, now co-president of the Freedom From Religion Foundation, called him an “amiable adversary.”
I had many opportunities to talk with Pritchard during the years that I was news director of the local Christian radio station. Sometimes he would call inviting me to cover one of his latest concerns, which often was related to the moral climate in the city. I also attended some of the Easter sunrise services that Pritchard faithfully led in Wingra Park, including one just seven years ago. Even in the short tenure of this news website we covered Pritchard several times, including a Sunday Symposium (photo above) that he arranged for his 95th birthday.
My favorite memory was a day, almost exactly ten years ago, when I met with Pritchard and a handful of other local Christian leaders, reviewing Madison’s Christian history. Most of the others stayed at our meeting place in the Wisconsin Dells overnight, but Pritchard and I headed back to Madison late that evening.
I was worried about a 90-year old man driving 45 miles to Madison just before midnight so I promised to drive right behind him all the way back. We made it safely and Pritchard continued his ministry to the community.
Pritchard’s presence was indeed good for Madison. He was a courageous leader whose Christian faith guided him daily. He will be missed.