Rev. Lawrence P. Delp

REV. LAWRENCE P. DELP, of the Lutheran Home of Topton, passed away on August 30, 2022, in the Lehigh Valley Hospital while under hospice care. He joins all of the angels who watch over us each and every day. Born in South Tamaqua, Schuylkill County, on September 10, 1928, he was the son of Paul and Catherine Delp. His loving wife of 56 years, Margie, predeceased him in 2007 after suffering from pancreatic cancer. Both he and his wife were extremely active and involved at the Lutheran Home at Topton.

Always an individual to travel at a fast pace, he was able to move through grade school and high school, graduating at the age of 16 from Tamaqua High School. In the fall of 1945, he went to Muhlenberg College where he starred in soccer and wrestling and was co-captain of both sports in his senior year. Taking extra courses, he graduated in 1948 with high honors. Following his graduation from college, he went on to attend the Lutheran Seminary in Mount Airy from which he graduated and was ordained in 1951. While in the seminary, he found time to teach and coach at the William Penn Charter School in East Falls, teaching German and coaching the soccer team. His ministry then took him on a extensive journey where he led many parishes beginning with St. John's in Berrysburg, Christ Lutheran in Conyngham, St. John's in Bath, Faith Lutheran in Mount Penn, Jerusalem Lutheran in Tracksville, and St. Paul's Lutheran in Gordon. During his career, his mission was to build each parish's membership. He encouraged individual community involvement by recognizing every parishioner and respecting their individual religious beliefs. He also helped several mission churches in their early stages in Newfoundland and Florida. He recently celebrated his 70th year of ordination. He never really retired from the pulpit, serving as an interim and substitute pastor at churches in the region needing support.

Throughout his life he was an active outdoorsman and gardener. His love of the outdoors included hunting and fishing with family and friends. He spent his spare time taking care of a farm, Ladajo Pines, which has been in the family, now for 9 generations. Long before organic gardening was fashionable, he practiced raising crops using organic methods. This led to his being asked by the Rodale Institute to travel to Russia in 1992. The trip lasted for 6 weeks, and he traveled with the Rodale team through a significant portion of the country meeting with local agricultural people to help cultivate and promote the benefits of organic farming.

He is survived by sons Lawrence F., husband of Barbara A. of Collegeville, and John M., husband of Laura D. of Fleetwood. A third son, David, passed away in 1996. There are three grandchildren, Lawrence M. Delp (B. Rebecca), David S. Delp, and Jodie B. DiFatta (Donald), and five great grandchildren, Abigail Delp, Justin Delp, Ryan Delp, Alex DiFatta, and Summer DiFatta, all of whom live in the area.

A celebration of his life to be held at 11:00 am on Tuesday, September 13, 2022, at St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church, 117 E. Arch St. in Fleetwood, PA where the family will receive guests from 9:30 am to 11:00 am. Interment to be private. Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Ludwick Funeral Homes and Cremation Care, Inc.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to Lutheran Home at Topton, Benevolent Care Endowment Fund, to be mailed to Lutheran Home at Topton, Attn: Gift Processing, One South Home Avenue, Topton, PA 19562.

Memories and condolences may be shared at www.ludwickfh.com.