Brother Richard “Rick” Bruckart died in Bethlehem, on June 22, 2023, at age 68.
Born December 21, 1954, in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, he was the son of the late Rev. James Orlando and Thelma (Landis) Bruckart. Rick was a graduate of Moravian Academy, class of 1972 and attended Moravian College, graduating in May of 1979 with a B.A. in psychology. He was a 1982 graduate of Moravian Theological Seminary, receiving an MDiv. Rick was ordained a deacon of the Moravian Church on June 20, 1982, and was consecrated a Presbyter on January 12, 1986.
Rick was united in marriage to Jill Louise Boettcher on May 29, 1976, in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.
During his 41-year career, he served as the pastor together with his wife Jill at churches in Pennsylvania: Advent (Bethlehem), Schoeneck (Nazareth), Emmaus and Lititz; and at First Moravian in Riverside, N.J. He also served as administrator at Hope Conference and Renewal Center and 12 years in denominational leadership on the Eastern District Executive Board. Surviving with his wife Jill are daughters Rachel Bailey and Allison Lauderman, and four grandchildren; sister, Karen Naisby and step-mother, Colleen Bruckart.
Memorial services were held at Central Moravian Church on July 30, 2023. A private burial was at Nisky Hill Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Hope Conference and Renewal Center, 15 Ridgeway Ave, Blairstown, NJ, 07825.
