Rev. Richard Joseph Vincent

May 1, 1965 – October 28, 2026

Rev. Richard Joseph Vincent, affectionately known as Rich, of West Bend, Wisconsin, passed away on October 28, 2026, at the age of 61.

A devoted father, partner, son, brother, uncle, pastor, musician, and friend, Rich lived a life marked by an intellectual inquisitiveness, clever humor, a deep love of music, and an enduring belief in the power of kindness. He had a remarkable ability to find joy in the things he loved, never took himself too seriously, and encouraged others to approach life with compassion, curiosity, and an open mind.

Born May 1, 1965, in Laredo, Texas, to Richard Edward and Celestina (Maskill) Vincent, Rich grew up in Indianapolis, Indiana, and graduated from Avon High School in 1983. He earned an Associate of Applied Science degree from ITT Technical Institute in 1990 and later graduated magna cum laude from Bethel Seminary in 2005 with a Master of Divinity degree.

Before entering full-time ministry, Rich pursued a variety of interests and careers, including working as a night auditor, at a Christian gift shop, and as a computer technician at Hoosier Photo Supplies. From 1982 to 1987, he also performed professionally with the bands Distant Image Band, Ferrari, and Matrix, sporting an epic curly mullet while playing the keytar. His love of music would remain one of the great constants of his life.

Rich began his pastoral career at College Park Church in Indianapolis, where he served as Associate Pastor of Singles and Discipleship from 1993 to 2003. He later served as Senior Pastor of NewLife Christian Fellowship in Glastonbury, Connecticut, from 2004 to 2006.

In 2006, Rich became Senior Pastor of Immanuel United Church of Christ in West Bend, Wisconsin, where he would serve for the next 20 years. Throughout his ministry, Rich was passionate about encouraging people to think deeply, ask questions, embrace compassion, and, above all, practice kindness. His sermons frequently featured references to superheroes, music, science fiction, and all things nerdy, reflecting his belief that wisdom and meaning could be found in unexpected places. In 2026, he celebrated his 20th anniversary with the Immanuel congregation, a community that had become an integral part of his life.

Outside the pulpit, Rich was a musician at heart. He loved progressive rock, and while Kansas was his favorite band, he maintained that The Beatles were the greatest band of all time. And, as many who knew him could attest, "Rush rules!" An avid guitarist and pianist, he amassed an impressive collection of acoustic and electric guitars. He was also an enthusiastic reader, movie lover, superhero fan, and online Dungeons & Dragons player. His love of fantasy and adventure extended beyond books and games to the Bristol Renaissance Faire, which he considered the happiest place on Earth.

As a father, Rich encouraged his three children to remain curious, embrace their individuality, pursue the things that brought them joy, and never take life too seriously. He taught them the importance of kindness, humor, and finding happiness in the things that make life meaningful. His thoughtful, easygoing nature, clever wit, and unique ways of showing he cared will be dearly missed.

For more than six years, Rich faced acute myeloid leukemia with remarkable courage, resilience, and faith. Through multiple treatments, remissions, and recurrences, he continued to find joy in life and remained deeply connected to the people and community he loved.

On October 18, 2026, Rich returned to Immanuel for an extraordinary farewell service, where he delivered his final sermon, served communion to more than 250 people, and personally greeted the many friends and congregants who came to surround him with love. Though never much of a hugger, Rich warmly embraced person after person, sharing his gratitude and reassuring those around him that he was at peace. It was a beautiful reflection of a life spent giving and receiving love.

During that final sermon, Rich offered a message that perfectly encapsulated the values he had spent his life sharing:

"I think the most important quality that we all need to focus on as we move into the future in a cruel and unkind culture is kindness."

His farewell service can be viewed at https://youtu.be/qELFMGILuzw, with his final sermon beginning at approximately 37 minutes.

Rich is survived by his loving partner of more than six years, Jane Kosednar; his three children, Carmen Maria Vincent (Evan Knowles), Quinn Elizabeth Vincent (Henry Jacobsen), and Adam Christopher Vincent (Rhin Vincent); his parents, Richard Edward and Celestina Maskill Vincent; his sister, Tina Langlois; his niece and nephews, Celena Langlois, Vincent Langlois, and Lance Langlois; and countless friends, colleagues, and members of the Immanuel community whose lives he touched.

He was preceded in death by his former wife of 25 years and the mother of his children, Margaret Elizabeth Vincent.

Rich’s family wishes to express its sincere gratitude to Dr. Sameem Abedin and his team at Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin for their dedicated and compassionate care throughout Rich's illness.

The family also extends their heartfelt gratitude to the countless loved ones, friends, and members of Immanuel United Church of Christ who surrounded him with extraordinary love and support throughout his ministry and his journey with leukemia. Special thanks go to the Landowski family and Immanuel staff, who helped sustain the church's ministry during his illness. Through countless cards, heartfelt notes, prayers, visits, and warm welcomes back to the church he loved, Rich was reminded again and again of the profound impact he had made on others. The kindness he spent his life encouraging was returned to him in abundance.

Visitation and Celebration of Life

A visitation will be held on Saturday, November 21, from 10:00 AM to 11:45 AM at Immanuel United Church of Christ (501 Walnut St., West Bend, WI 53095).

A Celebration of Life service will follow at 12:00 PM, with refreshments and fellowship afterward. All who knew and loved Rich are welcome to attend.

The service will also be livestreamed by Immanuel United Church of Christ on Facebook. It can be viewed live at: https://www.facebook.com/ImmanuelWestBend/

The service will also be uploaded to Immanuel’s YouTube page afterward, which can be found at: https://www.youtube.com/@ImmanuelUCCWestBend

Funeral arrangements are being handled by Myrhum-Patten Funeral & Cremation Service.

Memorial Donations

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to Immanuel United Church of Christ to support the purchase of a much-needed new sound system in Rich's memory. For 20 years, Rich used his voice to share messages of faith, love, and kindness with his congregation. It is the family's hope that this gift will help ensure that those messages, and the voices of those who follow him, continue to be heard loud and clear for years to come.

Donations may be made online at https://www.immanuelwestbend.org/ or by mailing a check payable to Immanuel United Church of Christ, 501 Walnut St., West Bend, WI 53095. Please write "Rich Vincent Memorial – Sound System" in the memo line.

Cards and condolences for the Vincent family may also be sent to Immanuel United Church of Christ at the address above.