Rev. Richard Halverson; Former Senate Chaplain

The Rev. Richard C. Halverson, who retired in March after 14 years as chaplain of the U.S. Senate, has died. He was 79.

Halverson, who was the 60th Senate chaplain, died Tuesday, his successor, the Rev. Lloyd Ogilvie, announced Wednesday.

The Senate passed a resolution Wednesday night honoring Halverson and expressing its “profound sorrow and deep regret” at his death.

Evangelist Billy Graham, who met Halverson in 1949, called him “probably the most loved and respected chaplain the United States Senate has ever known.”

The North Dakota native held degrees from Wheaton College and Princeton Theological Seminary, and worked in churches in Kansas City, Mo., Bethesda, Md., and Coalinga, Calif.

In Los Angeles, he was minister of leadership education at Hollywood First Presbyterian Church from 1947 to 1956 and served periodically as manager of the Forest Home Christian Grounds in Glendale.

Discussing his California years at a San Diego prayer breakfast last year, Halverson said he originally moved to Hollywood in the 1930s intending to seek his fame and fortune in the entertainment industry.

But six months after arriving, he said, “I signed my life over to Jesus Christ.”

Halverson was chairman of World Vision-U.S. from 1966 to 1983, and participated in pastors conferences around the world.

On his last day as chaplain, senators applauded him after his final session-opening prayer and then lined up to shake his hand.

Many praised the guidance Halverson gave not only to them, but also to the police officers, janitors, food service workers and other Senate employees.

He is survived by his wife, Doris Grace Seaton, three children and nine grandchildren.