Richard William Jantzen

Richard William Jantzen, Sr., widower of the late Elizabeth Ann Eye Jantzen, (November 19, 1999), of James Island, SC, died on Saturday, November 23, 2019. He was a retired Certified Senior Engineering Technician. Richard was the son of the late William D.M. Jantzen and the late Mamie W. Stemmermann Jantzen. Richard was born at Mercy Hospital in Charleston, SC on December 10, 1924.

Richard was baptized in St. Matthews Lutheran Church, King Street, Charleston, SC and confirmed in the same church April 1938. He attended Sunday School with a perfect attendance for ten years, never missing a Sunday. He was a member of the Light Brigade (youth group) and served as President for one year. He was a member of the Luther League, (new name for the youth group) until 1940. During 1946 he served as Assistant Sunday School Treasurer. He transferred to St. Andrews Lutheran Church, Charleston, SC upon his marriage to Elizabeth on June 16, 1947, to become a member of the Young Adult Group for a number of years. During 1959-1960 Richard and his family attended St. Andrews Lutheran Church Sunday morning and then attended Lutheran Mission Church on James Island on Sunday afternoon.

Richard served with the Steering Committee to help develop the new Lutheran Church on James Island. He helped organize the Sunday School for the Mission Church and served as Superintendent from 1959-1960. Richard and his family moved their membership from St. Andrews Lutheran Church to the Lutheran Mission Church on James Island in 1960. He and his family became charter members of Martin Luther Lutheran Church in February 1961. Richard served as Sunday School Superintendent through 1963, Secretary of Church Council, 1960-1969. He sang in the church choir from 1960-1965. Richard was a member of the Lutheran Men in Mission and served as President. He was honored by receiving an Honorary Life Membership, South Carolina Synod, Lutheran Men in Mission. He was appointed Chairman of the Long Range Planning Committee 1996-1998 and Chairman of the Building Committee 1998-2012.

Richard began writing a monthly series of the History of Martin Luther Lutheran Church in July 2001 for the monthly newsletter "Luther Lines" and continued to do so for many years.

Richard served through the Officers Chairs of Walhalla Lodge No. 66, AFM, Charleston, SC and was honored to be a Past Master of this Lodge January 1957.
He served through the Officers Chairs of Stonewall-Jasper Lodge No. 6, Knights of Pythias, Charleston, SC and was honored to become Past Chancellor of this Lodge January 1963.

For outstanding service rendered beyond the call of duty and for the love of the Pythian Order and Stonewall-Jasper Lodge No. 6, Knights of Pythias, he was awarded "Pythian Of The Year" for the year 1968. He also received a Supreme Lodge, Knights of Pythias "Honor Award" for outstanding accomplishments in the order, May 14, 1969.

Richard served as the Grand Treasurer of the Grand Lodge of South Carolina for ten years, and was honored to become a Past Grand Chancellor of the Grand Lodge, May 12, 1972. He received a 'Certificate Of Appreciation' for Meritorious Service from Walhalla Lodge No. 66 AFM, December 20, 1971.

He received an "Honor Award Certificate" for outstanding accomplishments in advancing the cause of 'Pythianism' for the Supreme Lodge, Knights of Pythias, May 21, 1976.

Richard received a plaque for "Outstanding Services" in the Pythian Order, "Grand Lodge Pythian of the Year" for the year May 1976-1977.
He was presented with the Supreme Chancellor Medal for 'Distinguished Services to the Pythian Order' for the Supreme Lodge Knights of Pythias, term 1976-1978.
He received a certificate of appreciation from Elizabeth Temple No. 2, Pythian Sisters of Charleston, SC 1980.

Richard was presented a "25 Year Pythian Veteran Certificate" from Stonewall-Jasper Lodge No. 6, Knights of Pythias, January 6, 1984.
He was presented an "Honor Award for Exemplifying the Principles of Friendship, Charity and Benevolence" by Supreme Lodge, Knights of Pythias, March 6,1986.
Richard received a "Certificate of Life Membership" from Walhalla Lodge No. 66, AFM on December 15, 1986 for 40 years of service.
He received the highest honor of the lodge, "The Degree of the Golden Spur" on June 8, 1988.
Richard was presented with the "Keith Fogle Memorial Award" given for dedicated service to the Pythian Order, given by the Southeastern Pythian Association on March 12,1988.

He was commissioned Deputy Supreme Chancellor for the Domain of South Carolina, August 1988 and in September of 1988 he was presented a plaque "In Appreciation for Years of Devoted Service" by the Southeastern Pythian Association.

Richard was presented with a "Certificate of Initiation in the Dramatic Order Knights of Khorassan" on December3, 1988.
He received an "Honor Award" certificate in recognition of contributions towards the Imperial Palace and it's programs.
Richard was appointed District Deputy Imperial Prince for South Carolina by the Imperial Prince of the Imperial Palace, Dramatic Order of Knights of Khorassan, November 2,1989.

He received the "Imperial Prince Medal" for distinguished services for the Imperial Palace, Dramatic Order Knights of Khorassan for the term 1987-1989.
Richard received the Supreme Lodge Knights of Pythias "Pythian Diploma" for attending and successfully completing the Pythian Renewal Leadership Seminar in Roanoke, VA, March 23,1991.

He received the Certificate of Past Regent of the Imperial Santha, Nomads of Avrudaka. The degree was conferred at the Imperial Palace Conventions in Oklahoma City, OK on August 12, 1991.

Richard was appointed Deputy Imperial Prince for Sinbad Temple No. 96, Dramatic Order Knights of Khorassan, Charleston, SC by the Imperial Palace, Dramatic Order Knights of Khorassan on August 15, 1991.

He was presented with a Certificate of Appreciation for outstanding service and contributions to the Institution of Volunteer Temple No. 1, Pythian Sisters of Rockwood, TN by the Supreme Temple Pythian Sisters on July 17, 1993.

In August of 1998 Richard was presented with a plaque for "Best Grand Secretary of the United States and Canada" for the 1996-1998 bienium 'in recognition of his many years of devoted and diligent service to the domain of South Carolina and the meticulous and flawless manner in which he conducted his duties as grand secretary'.

Richard was honored as a "Charter Member of the Rathbone Society of the Supreme Lodge Knights of Pythias Foundation" on October 21, 1999. A paver block was placed in his honor at the Justus H. Rathbone monument located in Utica, NY.

He is survived by his two daughters, Linda Carol Jantzen (Henry Kuznik) of Charleston, SC and Deborah J. Touchberry (Tim) of Summerville, SC; one son, Richard W. Jantzen Jr. (Melissa) of Aiken, SC; eight grandchildren, Amy Flory, Julie Riel, Russ Touchberry, Reid Touchbery, Will Jantzen III, Christina Mooney, Morgan Harrison and Venning Morrison; eleven great-grandchildren, Brittany, Mariah, Alyssa, Sage, Beckham, Jake, Amara, Piper, Poppy, Lilly and Claire and one sister, Betty J. Addison of Charleston.