Chaplain (Col Ret) Richard Ross Tupy, Jr., 93, passed on March 16, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. Born October 31, 1931, he was the son of the late Richard Tupy, Sr. and the late Carol (Monnen) Tupy.

He was our North Star. Ever loving, faithful and patient, he gifted us with his strength and wisdom, keeping us grounded with his calm demeanor, in both good and trying times. He was the ever-present enthusiastic parent and videographer at his children’s sports events and school activities. He coached his son’s grade school basketball team and was PTA president. He and his wife, Elaine, shared a lifelong love of tennis together.

Richard had a deep interest and love of history which he shared with his family through extensive travel around the world.  We humored him as a tour guide, however, since his frugal nature often had us muddling through Europe on Frommer’s, “Europe on 5 Dollars a Day”.

He offered his family a firm foundation in the Christian faith, instilling in us Jesus’ mandate to ‘love one another, as I have loved you’. As frequent guest columnists in the Asbury Park Press, he and his wife collaborated to advocate for social justice.

A native of Detroit, Michigan, Richard commissioned as First Lieutenant in the Chaplain Branch in 1957. He holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Social Science from Capital University, Columbus, Ohio; a Bachelor of Divinity from Trinity Lutheran Seminary, Columbus, Ohio; Master of Business Administration from Syracuse University; and a PHD in Educational Leadership from Temple, University.

Ordained a Pastor of the American Lutheran Church on June 30, 1957, Richard entered active duty with the US Army on July 6, 1957. His overseas assignments included the 304^th Signal Battalion, Seoul, Korea; the Munich Military Community and V Corps and the 54^th General Support Group and 3^rd  Brigade, Vietnam. His stateside tours included Basic Training Command Chaplain at Fort Chaffee, Arkansas; Air Defense Artillery Chaplain, Detroit, Michigan; Deputy Director of Personnel, Office of Chief of Chaplains, Frankfurt, Germany.  On March 26, 1981, Richard became Commandant, United States Army Chaplain Center and School at Fort Monmouth, NJ.

Richard’s military awards include the Bronze Star, the Meritorious Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Army Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, together with other service and until citations. After retiring from active duty, Richard was Director, Assistant Vice President, Human Resources at First Atlantic Federal Credit Union and was an interim pastor at five local churches.

Surviving is his wife of 63 years, Elaine Irene (Otto) Tupy; two daughters, Gretchen Orr and partner Leo Bennett and Joanne Catlett; son Matthew and his wife Oanh, six grandchildren, Gabriel Orr and fiancé Kristin Grumhaus, Charlotte Orr, Johnathan Catlett and fiancé Lauren Kukosky, Jillian Catlett, Tinh Tupy and wife Lorrance and Julia Tupy and three great grandchildren, Ava, Hannah and Tyler and numerous nieces and nephews.

The memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 5 at 3pm at Lutheran Church of the Reformation, 992 Broadway, West Long Branch, 07764. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Lutheran Church of the Reformation or Lutheran World Relief online at https://give.lwr.org/page/123179/donate/1?locale=en-US.