Church of God South American Leader Ricardo Ramírez Lohaus Passes Away
Rev. Ricardo Ramírez Lohaus, father of Dr. David Ramirez, third assistant general overseer for the Church of God, passed away on Wednesday, February 16 in his native country of Chile.
Due to Covid concerns, a private family and pastors service is taking place at 4:00 pm EST, Wednesday, February 16, at the Metropolitan Temple Church in Santiago, Chile, where Rev. Ramirez served as pastor for 30 years. The burial will take place tomorrow, February 17, with an online celebration service to be announced at a later date.
Becoming an ordained minister in the Church of God in 1958, Rev. Ramirez began his ministry as a local pastor and youth director from 1954–1956. He became a missionary to the northern region of Argentina from 1957–1959 before spending the next nine years as director of the Bible Institute of the Church of God in Chile. From 1970–1972, he served as overseer of Argentina, Northern Territory. From 1975¬–1990, he was national overseer of Chile. During this period, the Church of God in Chile had the highest growth in its history. From 1990–2000, he was overseer of the Central Region of Chile for the Church of God. He was awarded an honorary doctorate Seminario Ministerial Sudamericano (SEMISUD), located in Quito, Ecuador.
His final pastorate was the Metropolitan Temple Church from 1987-2018. During this period, the church realized tremendous growth and multiple building programs. Other accomplishments include the founding of an elementary school, author of three books, and participation in and leadership of numerous interdenominational networks.
Rev. Ramirez was a gifted writer and artist. He enjoyed oil painting and authored three books—one of poetry and two which focused on pastoral ministry and the work of the church.
Perhaps Rev. Ramirez’s most enduring legacy was his heart for planting and building churches. During his lifetime of ministry, he planted, built, and repaired dozens of churches and parsonages. The churches have flourished over the years with both growth and salvation of souls.
Rev. Ramirez was married to Lía Sanz Barrera for 65 years and they are the parents of six children: Elida, David, Ricardo, Angela, Felipe, and Alicia; fourteen grandchildren, and two great grandchildren.
