Richard Lorben Flynn

Richard Lorben Flynn, self-proclaimed Bishop of All Outdoors, died peacefully, surrounded by his family, on June 15, 2024 in the Twin Cities. He was 77.

Dick was born on November 18, 1946, at Ingalls Memorial Hospital in Harvey, Illinois. Throughout his childhood, he relocated frequently, dividing his time primarily between Salt Lake City, Utah, and Chicago, Illinois. His Grandma Mae was a steadfast loving presence amidst the frequent moves. Following a move back to Chicago from Salt Lake, one of his classmates dubbed him "Salty" a nickname that stuck and was even engraved on his first bowling ball when he was just 13 years old. He quickly mastered the art of making friends, relying on his sharp sense of humor. In middle school, a teacher once observed him holding court at a basketball game, surrounded by classmates in the stands. Impressed, she later asked him why everyone gravitated toward him. With a smile, he quipped, "animal magnetism!" confidently returning to his seat. He relished his role as a class clown, which nearly jeopardized his participation in the 8th grade class trip. Dick had a variety of hobbies as a kid; crafting model airplanes, riding his bike, spending time with the family dog "Lady" and being a member of the Scouts.

Mostly, he loved baseball. Dick started playing at a young age, continued through college, and remained involved in numerous softball leagues throughout his life. A dedicated coach, he shared his deep love for the game with countless others. He could discuss baseball strategy endlessly and took great joy in teaching young pitchers the art of throwing a circle change-up.

Dick was the youngest of three children. Sadly, he never was able to meet his older sister Muriel who passed away at age seven in a car accident. Despite her absence, he talked about feeling her presence often when growing up. Dick’s brother Ben, whom he affectionately called “Benny” is seven years older and a wonderful big brother. Benny introduced Dick to cars, motorcycles, and shared his own passion for airplanes—earning his pilot's license at just 16 years old. Dick fondly recalled Benny flying over their house, taking him to airshows, and spending time together building model airplanes. Benny also played a pivotal role in Dick's life by helping him secure his first job as a bagger at Albertson’s Grocery Store. He loved his brother Benny.

During college, Dick was invited to attend his first Young Life Club, an experience that profoundly changed his life and set him on the path to becoming a minister. Dick shared that attending his first Young Life "Leadership Training Week" in 1967, and the inspiration he found in Young Life Founder Jim Rayburn's message, was one of the most important weeks of his life. For 16 years he worked with Young Life in Indianapolis and the city of Chicago, leading weekly programming, summer camps, and ski trips for high schoolers. He was the front man for the band, drove buses, and exploded watermelons and handmade volcanoes in skits. These experiences not only shaped his leadership skills but also fueled his passion for ministry and lifelong commitment to social justice.

Most importantly, he met Debbie Tydd. They were married in December of 1971 and were set to celebrate 53 years of marriage this year. With Deb, Dick found the ultimate companion; a positive force in the world who shared his love of faith and the outdoors. Among her many skills she could sing and play guitar, organize, and execute. Deb gets stuff done. She turned her creativity and gifts with children into a career as an elementary school teacher and the best grandma in the world. Dick and Deb’s greatest joy are their two children, Gabe and Jesse, and their entire family, especially their five grandchildren.

In 1983 Dick and Deb moved to Columbus, Ohio where he accepted a call to Youth and Camp Ministry at First Community Church. He quickly went to work putting together a wildly successful all night New Year’s Eve Party for hundreds of high school students two months after arriving. His ministry principles of God’s love for everyone, having outrageous fun, and love of the outdoors soon filled First Community Church’s Camp Akita, a sacred property in the Hocking Hills of Logan, Ohio. The memories of spirited chants of “one more time” during the song “Abilene”, humorous cabin clean-up speeches depicting the terrors of “The Munge”, and ecstatic shouts from children zooming down the zipline, still reverberate. The dedicated staff of Camp Akita continue to spread the message of God's love to individuals of all ages, carrying forward Dick’s impactful legacy.

In 1991 Dick completed his Master’s of Divinity at the Methodist Theological School in Ohio. In the mid 1990’s he started Hope United Church of Christ and served at First Congregational Church in Marysville, Ohio. In Marysville, Dick and Deb also fulfilled a lifelong dream of living in a log home. In 2006, to be nearer to their children and future grandchildren, Dick and Deb relocated to Plymouth, Minnesota. There, Dick served at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ in Delano, Minnesota. Continuing his passion for youth and camp ministry, Dick played a pivotal role in mentoring his daughter-in-law Hilary, son, and many staff and volunteers, in establishing a thriving Camp Ministry at Wayzata Community Church.

In his later years, Dick was active in caring for his mom until her passing at the age of 99, babysitting his grandchildren, playing softball, fishing on the family boat, enjoying all the birds of the forest, researching family genealogy, voting, officiating family weddings and funerals, and serving as a member of Spirit of Peace Church in Minnetonka, Minnesota. He was fierce in his belief and efforts to dismantle the legacy of racism in his ancestry.

Above all, his greatest legacy is the support and love he gave to his family. On a recent birthday, his five granddaughters, who called him “Papa”, sent all the other adults out of the house and had a special celebration, making him a delicious dinner, showering him with songs, and his favorite…sitting and listening to his stories. His parting words to them were always, “Papa loves you.”

Dick was preceded in death by his parents, Ben and Bertha, and his sister Muriel. His memory is held dear by his loving family: His wife, Deb, his daughter Jesse, and her children, Audrey, Simone, and Evelyn, his son Gabe, his wife Hilary and their children Paige and Claire, and his brother Ben (Brenda). He is also remembered by many beloved nieces, nephews, in-laws, colleagues, and friends.

Dick believed in God’s love for all and supporting opportunities for students to experience that message. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Youth First, an organization dedicated to this mission, led by one of Dick’s former students. You can find a link at youth1st.org/

A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, September 14th at 1 p.m. at Spirit of Peace Church, in the Mills Church Sanctuary, 13231 Minnetonka Drive Minnetonka, MN 55305. A link to the livestream of the service will be available in the Calendar section at https://www.spiritofpeacecommunity.org/. Additionally, there will be a time to connect and share stories at the Circle of Remembrance on Friday, September 13th at 6:30 p.m. in the Mills Church Chapel.

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