Obituary of Karl R. Esmark

Rev. Dr. Karl Esmark, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Friday, December 17th at the Iroquois Nursing Home. He is survived by his wife Elizabeth Morris Esmark, daughter Katherine Wilburn (Joe) of Woodbridge, VA, sons Jeffrey Rarick (Charity) of Jamesville and Richard Rarick of LaFayette, daughter Valerie Rarick of LaFayette, and two young grandchildren (Adalyn and Ryland Wilburn) He is also survived by his brothers Kenneth (Jeni) of Townsend, TN and Keith of State College, PA. Born in Trenton, NJ, he grew up in Ridgewood, NJ and was an Eagle Scout. He graduated from Hope College, received his Master of Divinity from New Brunswick Theological Seminary, and a Doctor of Education from Rutgers University. He served in the US Army as an Army Ranger during the Vietnam War, and later served as a chaplain during Desert Shield. He served in the White House as a communication specialist and accompanied President Nixon to the Soviet Union. During his years as a minister, he served as Chaplain of Rutgers University, an assistant pastor at the First Presbyterian Church, New Brunswick, NJ, pastor of Lafayette Columbian Presbyterian Church, LaFayette, NY and pastor of Lyall Memorial Federated Church, Millbrook, NY. While in Millbrook, he wrote and published the definitive book on the life of artist Otto Walter Beck. After his retirement from full time ministry, he and his wife started Christ’s Chapel in Tully, NY. He helped his son Jeff start the Matthew 25 Farm. Karl served as Chairman of the Board until he stepped down due to health issues. Due to COVID-19, there are no calling hours. There will be a private service at Christ’s Chapel for family. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to either Christ’s Chapel, PO Box 247, Tully, NY or the Matthew 25 Farm, 919 Mechanic Street, Tully, NY 13159. The family wishes to express their heartfelt thanks to the staff of the Iroquois Nursing Home for their wonderful care of Karl.