Richard F. Grein

Richard Frank Grein (November 29, 1932 – October 8, 2024), born Richard Frank Clausen, was an American Episcopal clergyman who served as Bishop of Kansas from 1981 to 1989 and Bishop of New York from 1989 to 2001.

Education and early career Born in Bemidji, Minnesota, to Ray Clausen and Lavina Frost, Grein was later adopted by Lester Grein following his parents' divorce. He studied at Carleton College in Minnesota, where he played football, and was invited to try out for the Washington Redskins. He later studied at Nashotah House in Wisconsin, where he earned a Master of Divinity degree as well as a Master's degree in pastoral theology.

He was ordained as a deacon on June 20, 1959 and as a priest on December 21, 1959, and was installed as bishop at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine on October 14 of the same year.

He devoted much of his time and energy as Bishop of New York to financial and administrative endeavors such as Episcopal Charities, the congregational support plan, the Trustees of the Diocese, renewal of the diaconate, and renewal of the priesthood. He also created and expanded the diocesan endowment fund, and launched a program to give financial help to congregations with insufficient funds to pay their own bills. He believed that "strong parishes mean a strong diocese".

Grein also fostered relationships with an Anglican diocese in South Africa and the Eastern Orthodox Church. The case was settled out of court.

He died at his home in Portland, Oregon, on October 8, 2024, at the age of 91.