Memories
Richard Capin (Dick) passionately pursued life with God and faithfully lived life loving God and others as Jesus taught in Matthew 22:37-39. He was born on August 21, 1924, in a small town in Southern Illinois to a family of five brothers and one sister. He was reborn in 1950 when he committed his life to Christ. Dick married his bride, Jeanne, on Christmas eve, 1946. God then blessed them with 3 children, 10 grandchildren, and 16 great grandchildren.
As father, grandfather and great grandfather he expressed deep and genuine love, care and generosity always pointing to Christ and continually praying. He was a humble servant and a faithful steward knowing that God owns it all – time, talent and treasure.
Dick served in the United States Army, but he marched in God’s army as a soldier on a mission, fully surrendered and always keeping his eyes on Jesus. He was blessed by God to be engaged to the end. His life impacted the lives of many.
On November 25, 2020, Dick received the transfer he so longed for and deserved. We are so grateful for his life and rejoice that he is in the presence of God with loved ones and the saints in heaven, and that he has been reunited with his bride, Jeanne, of 69 years.
As a businessman and CPA in the 1950s, Dick worked with wealthy executives and industry leaders nationwide. He was an expert in the petroleum industry and the growing investment in that sector fueled by tax incentives.
Dick was deeply impacted hearing the testimony of a Christian businessman named Stanley Tam and his teaching on the Treasure Principle as taught by Jesus. It became his passion and motivation. He would say “The value of ‘one’ soul caused me to see this world’s treasures as fool’s gold and the ministry of evangelism as the focus of the heart of God.”
He would often quote Jim Elliott, missionary martyr, who said: “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.”
In 1961, following a world trip and a Damascus Road experience at Madison Square Garden where he saw the Cross of Christ lifted over the world, Dick gave up untold riches to seek eternal treasure as Christ taught in Matthew 6:19–20.
He then served as a missionary with One Mission Society (formerly OMS International) in Korea, and later became V.P. and Treasurer in the U.S.
Compelled by a great need for financial accountability, transparency and trust in the international mission world, he left OMS in 1971 and founded a CPA firm devoted to serving nonprofit organizations, strengthening financial integrity and security – CapinCrouse LLP.
Financial accounting and reporting standards had not yet been established for the nonprofit sector, so Dick worked with financial executives from evangelical organizations to establish financial accounting and reporting guidance.
Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA) was formed in 1979 out of a recognized need for greater financial accountability. He served as a board member, Treasurer, and Chairman of ECFA after George Wilson completed his service.
Dick helped establish Overseas Council for Theological Education and Missions, Inc.; he served on the Lausanne Committee for World Evangelism; and he served as board members of Christian Management Association, Asbury College, Azusa Pacific College and many others.
The last chapter for Dick, spanning the past 3 decades, was invested serving as Consultant for Samaritan’s Purse and Senior Executive Advisor for Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. In that role he served leadership and the boards, always seeking wisdom from God to encourage and strengthen people, in order to allow Christ to be lifted up and draw all to Him.
Do you know Jesus?
In four simple steps, learn how to invite Christ into your life here.
Samaritan’s Purse: Richard F. Capin Building
Samaritan’s Purse has named a new building in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina, the Richard F. Capin Building.
Richard F. (Dick) Capin has been instrumental in the pursuit of God-honoring standards of accountability, governance, transparency, and trust for the ministry of Samaritan’s Purse. His wisdom, insight, and experience over several decades have led us in raising the bar of excellence as we strive to “do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31), and as we represent and make known the Lord Jesus Christ to the world. His legacy is one of godliness, humility, excellence, steadfastness, encouragement and prayer.
Giving Account – Life Lessons of Businessman and Accountant Dick Capin
How a surrendered life can be used to build a portfolio of eternal riches.
The CapinCrouse Story – Transformed Lives
Grace. Compassion. Determination. CapinCrouse clients exhibit these traits every day as they work to change lives around the world.
CapinCrouse was founded to support mission-focused nonprofits in this transformational work, and that focus remains at the core of its mission today.
It all started with the desire of Dick Capin to follow God’s calling.
Inside Public Accounting – Building a Super Niche Firm from the Ground Up at CapinCrouse
Dick Capin recognized as founder of IPA 200 Firm. It can only be a God story that a CPA firm only serving mission-focused nonprofits could become one of the top 200 CPA firms in the U.S.
