Salvation Army

Commissioner Richard Daniel Atwell was commissioned in 1936.

Commissioner Richard Atwell
Rank	Commissioner
Session	World for God
Birth Date	April 1, 1915
Death Date	June 26, 2000
Relations	Commissioner Doris Atwell (wife)
	Charles Atwell (father)

A joyous evening was spent last night when young Men's and Young Women's Bible classes of the Salvation Army united in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Jones, Breslau, for a party in honor of visiting officers and cadets. Games of all kinds were enjoyed and after refreshments were served by Mrs. Jones, Captain Berkhoudt, on behalf of the combined classes presented a fine gift to Lieutenant Mamie Atwell, Lieutenant Norman Noble, and Cadets Elmer Worthy and Richard Atwell.

Others present were: Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Royer, Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Jones, Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Tzrinski, David, Edgar, Clarence, Bertha, Robert and Stanley Jones. Raymond McElroy, Elizabeth Lamereaux, David Hettinger, Joseph Bond, Theron Obitz, Hannah Williams, Hannah Atwell, Elizabeth Davis, Ruth Stubblevine, Anna Mickalonis, Margaret Brobst, Hannah Williams, Hattie Wolfe, Robert Heller, Captain and Mrs. John Berkhoudt.

Wilkes-Barre Times Leader (Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania), January 2, 1936

Another of the interesting letters has arrived from Captain and Mrs. Richard Atwell, Salvation Army officers formerly stationed in Lock Haven, who are now serving at the Howard Institute, Glendale, South Rhodesia, Africa.

Writing just before Thanksgiving, and addressing the communication which comes to The Express to Mr. and Mrs. Gus Cox and family, 318 Bellefonte Ave., Capt. Atwell reported that “We are now entering our summer, called the 'suicide season.'”

He says “the rains cease in April and commence in November or December. The veldt becomes very dry and veldt fires are something to behold and fear … Even as I write I can look out and see them in the distance and often they get too close for comfort…”

“The sun is dangerous and one has to wear a helmet for protection” he writes to his friends in Lock Haven who are in the midst of an unusually unpleasant and icy winter.

New Responsibility Capt. Atwell, his letter reveals, had recently taken on the responsibilities of “acting principal” at the institute, until a new principal arrives to replace one transferred. “It is a tremendous responsibility,” he said. The Howard work touches some 1,250 boys and girls each day. It includes direct oversight of a Training College where 16 cadets are studying; of the Howard Hospital, where along with other medical and surgical problems, the staff had presided at the birth of 250 babies born to nearby village women.

There is also a Teachers Training Center, 400 boarding students for whom three meals a day must be prepared, along with the supervision of studies, and 250 day students who come to the compound.

Wedding and Funeral Capt. Atwell has had his first wedding, with Christian rites and then also the traditional marriage customs and celebrations which the natives follow. He had also had his first funeral. Seven hundred attended. When Captain Atwell made his first appearance at the village, amid customary wailing of the natives, he entered a smoke-filled hut to find the corpse standing in a corner. This was a custom which gave him something of a shock.

Capt. Atwell reports that he had charge of arrangements for a congress of Salvationists which was attended by 600 soldiers and was marked by meetings much like similar congresses in this country.

In Africa, however, the “delegates come for miles on foot, sometimes a two days journey over the veldt. They sleep on mother earth, cook at little camp fires and sit on the ground or rocks for the meetings,” he writes.

The Atwells suffered a considerable loss, he reported, when their late-arriving trunks were found to have been pilfered. They lost most of their personal goods, clothing, shoes, linen and silverware. Their pleasure in simple American gifts, such as coffee, is reflected in his words of appreciation for remembrances from many friends.

The Express (Lock Haven, Pennsylvania), February 10, 1951

Major and Mrs. Richard Atwell, who have just returned from a six-year term of missionary service in Central Africa, will conduct a missionary meeting at the Salvation Army Hall, 229 West Main street, tonight at 7. A special feature of the service will be the presentation of color slides of missionary work done by the Salvation Army in Africa.

Major Atwell was born in Plymouth and was a member of the local corps before entering the Salvation Army Training College in New York City in 1935. Following his graduation from the Training College he was appointed to Huntingdon, Pa. Other appointments included Lewistown, Lock Haven, Pa., and Manchester Conn.

Major Atwell married Doris Wiltsie, of Oswego, N.Y., in 1939 and together they left for Southern Rhodesia, Africa, in 1950. The major's last appointment in Africa included the responsibility for the overseeing of 35 evangelistic centers of Army work and 21 native schools with an enrollment of over 3,500 native youth. A display of native craft, drums, etc. will also be featured tonight.

Richard Atwell Jr., son of Major and Mrs. Atwell will sing a song in the African language. He is 13 years of age and has spent the past six years in a boarding school for European children in Salsbury, Southern Rhodesia.

The public is invited to tonight's service.

Wilkes-Barre Times Leader, the Evening News (Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania), June 19, 1956

A good-sized congregation last night officially welcomed Major and Mrs. Richard Atwell, newly appointed Salvation Army officers to the city's Citadel.

Greetings were extended to the Atwells and their 15-year-old son, Richard, by Miss Elizabeth Itter, representing the Young People's Society; Mrs. Howard Snyder, representing the Senior Department of the corps, and Dr. M. L. Blum, a representative of the Salvation Army Advisory Board.

The Atwells responded to the greetings after which Major Atwell delivered the evening sermon based on the them, “The Hands of Friendship.”

Miss Leah Haswell led the preliminary service.

The major was born in Plymouth, Pennsylvania, and Mrs. Atwell is a native of Oswego, New York. He entered the Salvation Army Training College in New York City in 1935. The couple was married in 1939 and appointed to Lewistown, Pennsylvania, where they spent four years. An appointment to Lock Haven followed and four years later they were appointed to Manchester, Connecticut.

In 1950, the Atwells left for Central Africa on Missionary Service and after six and one half years in Africa, they returned to America last June. Ninety per cent of the native education in Central Africa is given by missionary groups and the major was in charge of the Howard Institute, on of the Army's largest missionary educational centers. Attached to this center are over 1,000 African youth.

The Army operates a Teacher Training School, where native teachers are trained, a hospital and Nurses Training School, a training school where African evangelists are trained, and a central primary school, now going up to the high school level.

The last four years the Atwells were in Africa, they were divisional commanders for the North Mashona Division in Southern Rhodesia, with 35 evangelical centers and 21 village schools to supervise, with an enrollment of over 3,600 African young people.

Since Major and Mrs. Atwell arrived from Africa last June, they were appointed to a speaking tour for the Army, which has taken them to elven eastern states.

Major and Mrs. Atwell have been appointed to Hazleton for an indefinite period, having succeeded Captain and Mrs. Raymond Raines, who have been transferred to Cleveland.

Standard-Speaker (Hazleton, Pennsylvania), February 25, 1957

Major and Mrs. Richard Atwell, Salvation Army missionaries from Africa now home on furlough, will conduct a Missionary Rally at the Salvation Army Citadel, 117 W. High St., on Monday, according to Major William J. North, local commanding officer. The rally will open at 7:30 p.m.

At noon on Monday, Major Atwell will address the Rotary Club.

In 1950, the Atwells and their son, Dick, left for Central Africa, with headquarters in Southern Rhodesia. There they served as Divisional Commanders of 35 centers of work. From 1950 until 1952, Major Atwell was principal of the Howard Institute, one of the Salvation Army's largest training schools in Africa with an enrollment of over 1,000 African young people.

Major Atwell, a native of Plymouth, Pa., entered the Salvation Army Training School, New York, in 1935 as a cadet in the “World For God” session. He was commissioned an officer in 1936 and served various appointments in Pennsylvania.

Springfield News-Sun (Springfield, Ohio), January 13, 1957

“Our American Heritage” was the theme for the Eastern New York Division Sunbeam all-day rally conducted recently at the Glens Falls Junior High School.

Leaders were Brigadier and Mrs. Richard Atwell, divisional commander; Capt. Barbara J. Torbitt, divisional guard director; Capt. and Mrs. Carl Schoch, host officers, with Capt. Frances Clark of the School for Officers' Training, as special guests.

Following morning registration, the welcoming session opened with greetings from Capt. Schoch and introduction of guests. Troop review was followed by luncheon and Mrs. Atwell presided at the afternoon session.

The Plattsburgh, Gloversville and Poughkeepsie Sunbeams participated during the afternoon, when awards were presented and troop review conducted.

Sunbeam groups participating in the roll call and troop review came from Albany, Beacon, Cahoes, Glens Falls, Gloversville, Middletown, Newburgh, Oneida, Oneonta, Plattsburgh, Poughkeepsie, Rome, Saratoga Springs, Utica, Watertown and Troy.

All girls of the Sunbeams concluded the day with a visit to Fort William Henry.

The Post-Star (Glen Falls, New York), May 27, 1966

Brigadier and Mrs. Richard Atwell, divisional commander of the Eastern Division of the Salvation Army, will be guests at the local corps, 216 Main St., tomorrow. The Holiness meeting will be at 11 a.m. and the Salvation meeting 7a.m. The Poughkeepsie Band will participate in both services.

Mr. Atwell graduated from the Salvation Army Officers' Training School in 1936. Following appointments in Pennsylvania and Connecticut, the Brigadier with his wife, the former Doris Wiltsie of Oswego, were appointed to one of the largest Salvation Army educational centers near Salisbury, Rhodesia.

Mr. Atwell also served as divisional commander for the North Mashonaland Division, covering the northern area of Rhodesia.

After seven years in Africa Mr. Atwell served as divisional youth secretary for Eastern Pennsylvania; divisional secretary of Metropolitan New York and general secretary of northern Ohio.

Mr. Atwell is presently the divisional commander for the eastern New York Division with headquarters in Albany.

Sunday school will convene at 10 a.m. under the direction of Miss Helen Carroll, young people's sergeant major.

Young People's meeting will be conducted at 6 p.m. under the direction of Miss Gloria Marshall and Miss Cheryl Heady.

Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. the Ladies' Home League will meet. The program is entitled, “Home League in Japan.” Refreshments will be served by Miss Emma Way and Miss Helen Carroll.

Poughkeepsie Journal (Poughkeepsie, New York), August 27, 1966

Brigadier and Mrs. Richard Atwell, divisional commanders of the Eastern New York Division, Salvation Army, will be the guests of the Poughkeepsie Citadel tomorrow.

The couple was appointed to Albany in February. Prior to this, they were missionary offficers in Africa for seven years and had leadership appointments in Philadelphia, New York City and Cleveland. They recently were appointed in charge of operations for the Salvation Army in the Eastern New York State area.

Brigadier Atwell will deliver the morning sermon at 11 o'clock and Mrs. Atwell the evening address, at 7:15 o'clock.

Tomorrow has been designated as Home League Sunday and the local members of the Ladies' Home League will participate in both services.

Poughkeepsie Journal (Poughkeepsie, New York), October 28, 1967

A former Salvation Army missionary to Africa and his wife have been appointed to key directorships for the organization in northeast Ohio.

Lt. Col. Richard Atwell will be the divisional commander for Salvation Army work and his wife, Doris, will become director of women's services.

The couple was married while doing Salvation army duty in Lewistown, Pa., after his graduation from the Salvation Army Training College in New York in 1936.

Since then they have been at several other cities and in 1950 left for Central Africa and were headquartered in southern Rhodesia.

At one time there, Col. Atwell was principal for two years of Howard Institute, one of the Salvation Army's largest training schools in Africa, enrolling more than 1,200 youngsters.

The couple live at 20301 Shelburne Road, Shaker Heights.

The Plain Dealer (Cleveland, Ohio), January 27, 1969

Commissioner and Mrs. Richard Atwell, now retired and residing in Florida, will be the honored guests at Friday's dinner and awards night commemorating the 100th anniversary of The Salvation Army in Hazleton.

The event will be chaired by Mrs. Clementine Yamona, chairman of the citadel's board of advisors, and Lt. Paul Cain, citadel commander.

Atwell, a native of the Borough of Plymouth in Luzerne County, and the main speaker for the evening, became a Salvation Army officer in 1936, serving in Lewistown and Lock Haven before transferring to Manchester, Conn.

He and his wife, the former Doris Wiltsie of Oswego, N.Y., were then reassigned to the African nation of Rhodesia, now known as Zimbabwe, where they remained until 1956.

In 1958 he and his wife were assigned to the Hazleton Citadel where they remained until 1959 when they received divisional appointments in Philadelphia, New York City, Albany and Cleveland.

Atwell was then given command of the Northeastern Ohio Division, which he held briefly before returning to Rhodesia where he was appointed chief secretary in 1971 and territorial commander two years later.

During this period, Atwell and his wife retained the leadership of the Army's work during the period when black Rhodesians were demanding independence from the country's white minority.

In 1979, the commissioner was assigned to the Army's international headquarters in London where he served as international secretary for Africa.

Atwell is one of the few officers to serve on three high councils which selected the past three Salvation Army generals.

The affair, to be held at the Best Western Genetti Motor Lodge at 6 p.m. Friday, will include entertainment by a brass ensemble comprised of officers from area Salvation Army citadels, and the Hazleton Timbrels comprised of Tammi and Kristi Benko, Holly McGowen and Diana Stoeppel, under the direction of Lynnette Valentine.

Also on the agenda will be the presentation of Bell Ringer Awards to area groups and organizations who volunteered their time to raising funds by manning the familiar Christmas kettles during November and December.

On Saturday there will be a youth rally at 10 a.m. at the Zion Evangelical Church, located at North Church and Maple streets, which is open to all area youths from the sixth grade on.

Sunday will be the homecoming meeting, which will begin with the 11 a.m. service. Later in the day, former commanders of the local citadel and two other officers born in this area, along with former board members, soldiers and members, will meet at the citadel.

The former commanders include Lt. and Mrs. James Cocker, Maj. and Mrs. James Dancer and Maj. Ruth McCrea. The officers from our area are retired Brigadier and Mrs. Henry Baker of Hazleton, and Capt. Peggy Reed of Mahanoy City.

Entertainment during the gathering will be furnished by a 20-member youth chorus, Lt. (Mrs.) Alma Cain, wife of the citadel commander, Lt. Paul Cain, and the officer-comprised brass ensemble.

Standard-Speaker (Hazleton, Pennsylvania), April 30, 1986

More than 100 persons attended the 100th anniversary dinner Friday evening commemorating a century of religious and humanitarian work in the Hazleton area by The Salvation Army.

Mrs. Clementine Yamona, chairman of the board of advisors at the Hazleton Citadel, welcomed dignitaries and guests, and expounded on the works of the Army in bringing spiritual and material assistance to those people in everyday need, and during crises of great magnitude, such as the Sheppton Mine disaster more than 20 years ago.

Mayor John Ford, representing the City of Hazleton, extended his thanks and that of council to Lt. Paul Cain and all the Salvationists who served here since 1886.

The mayor then announced that the city has proclaimed May “Salvation Army Month” and presented Lt. Cain with a proclamation recognizing and extolling the Army in the Hazleton area. He also presented Lt. Cain with a letter from President and Mrs. Ronald Reagan congratulating the Army in general for its worldwide accomplishments and the Hazleton Citadel in particular for its 100 years of service to this and adjacent communities.

He then presented to the honored guest and main speaker, retired Commissioner Richard Atwell, the official Key to the City. Atwell and his wife Doris, who reside in Florida, were stationed here briefly in 1958 before being reassigned to Africa.

Major Charles Drummond, after giving some remarks regarding the Army, introduced Mrs. Atwell, who, like her husband, held the rank of commissioner.

She told of the short time she and her family were in Hazleton, and of the many fine memories they share. Mrs. Atwell said she remembered shortly after arriving that there was a snowstorm which dumped five feet of snow on the city, and in places it rose to seven feet due to drifting.

She told of seeing that day a spot moving along Broad Street, and as it came closer she noticed a Salvation Army cap, and under that cap was the late William Sachs, a soldier in the Army and one of its most devoted members.

Sachs, she said, was the only member of the congregation to appear for church services that day.

She went on to talk of their experiences in other posts, and told her audience that she never really got used to transferring from one place to the other and leaving friends they had made. However, she said it was a necessary part of the Army life.

Commissioner Atwell, whose service was long and varied, announced that on Friday a new general was elected for the Army, and for the first time in its 121-year history, the general is a woman and former teacher named Eva Burroughs whom he and his wife first met in Africa.

The commissioner then went on to speak on his work in this country, Africa and London, England, where he held several high positions. He also recognized Mrs. Maurice Blum whose late husband was a longtime member of the local board of advisors and a staunch ally of the Army; Atty. Louis G. Feldmann, who continues to serve as an advisor, and others whom he knew from his days here.

Awards for manning the Christmas kettles were presented by Mrs. Yamona and Lt. Cain, with the two highest going to the Drake-Wear VFW Post 589 for the highest wo-day total collected, and the Hazleton Kiwanis Club, for the highest amount collected in one day.

The VFW, by winning the award for three consecutive years, will take permanent possession of the trophy, a large brass bell mounted on a wood base. The Kiwanis Club was recognized with an engraved plaque for the second time in as many years.

Accepting on behalf of the VFW was former commander William Boran, while Atty. Thomas Marsilio, president of Kiwanis, accepted on behalf of his club.

Other organizations recognized with certificates were the Hazleton Rotary, Conyngham Lions, Drums Lions, Hazleton Lions, Hazleton Mountain City Lions, Twin County Lions, West Hazleton Lions, Greater Hazleton Jaycees, Bell Telephone Pioneers, Sons of Italy, Valley Kiwanis, Anthracite Club, Hazleton City firemen, Unico, Weatherly Rotary, Radio Station WAZL, Soroptimists, the Salvation Army Board of Advisors, Grebey Junior High School, Professional Secretaries International, Beaver Meadows VFW Post, Hazleton American Legion Post 76, Penn State Circle K, Men's Federation of Bible Classes, Mount Vernon Commandery, Disabled American Veterans, West Hazleton Knights of Columbus, The Salvation Army Men's Club and the DeFrancesco Detective Agency.

Special thanks were extended to the 100th anniversary committee, which included Atty. Kenneth Bayless, William P. Berry, Ira Johnson Sr., Clemie Yamona, John Gould, Anna Wilkus, Julius Mazzochetti and George Rhode, and to the Standard-Speaker, the City of Hazleton and Zion Evangelical Church.

Also receiving thanks for their assistance in the kettle project were Boscov's Department Stores, Deisroth's Department Store, Discountland U.S.A., Gould's IGA, J&E IGA and the McAdoo IGA markets, McCrory's, Zayre's and K-Mart Department stores, Acme Supermarket, Sears & Roebuck, Kopper Kettle Restaurant on Route 93 at the Laurel Mall.

Entertainment was provided by the Citadel's Timbrel Drill Team under the direction of Lynnette Valentine, and a brass ensemble comprised of Salvation Army officers from throughout the state.

The event was held in the Lincoln Room of the Genetti Best Western Motor Lodge.

Standard-Speaker (Hazleton, Pennsylvania), May 6, 1986

Richard Atwell, retired Salvation Army commissioner and former third-in-command,¹⁾ 85, died Thursday in Manatee Memorial Hospital.

Before Retiring to Missionary Village in Bradenton with his wife Doris more than 17 years ago, Atwell was one of the Salvation Army's highest-ranking officials, responsible for some 50,000 members from 105 countries.

Following Salvation Army regulations, Atwell retired his position on his 67th birthday, but according to friends and colleges, he never ceased to follow their “heart to God, hand to man” motto.

“There may be a 'retired' in front of his name, but he never really, just recharged,” said Frances Eckstein, a longtime friend and retired brigadier. “When he promised a lifetime commitment, he meant literally until the day he went into the hospital; he served people until the very end.”

After graduating from high school in his native Pennsylvania, Atwell turned down a contract with the New York Yankees to join the Salvation Army as a uniformed officer. He never looked back.

Joined by his wife, who died in August, Atwell dedicated 47 years to assisting and educating those in need. He left his footprints all over the world, but Africa ignited a passion in his heart, and for 20 years he called it home, son Richard Atwell Jr. said.

His humanitarian efforts in Africa and the United States received praise from foreign dignitaries and leaders from around the world, yet Atwell refused to bask in the glory of his achievements and remained a “humble” man until he died, Atwell Jr. said.

“He led Queen Elizabeth's birthday procession alongside Prince Philip, dined with international political figureheads and received bravery medals on more than one occasion, but he always said it was the uniform receiving the attention and not him,” Atwell Jr. said.

After retiring in 1982, Atwell left Rhodesia, Africa, and moved to Bradenton's Missionary Village. Founded in 1980 by Tropicana tycoon Anthony Rossi, the retirement village provides free housing for those like Atwell who dedicate their lives to missionary work.

Co-founder Sanna Rossi described Atwell as one of the most kind and gracious people she has ever met. “It was a pleasure to have him here,” she said.

He is survived by a son, Richard Jr., and a “daughter-in-love” Maureen Atwell of Chicago; a sister, Flosie Fenea of Kingston, Pa.; and two grandchildren.

Visitation will be 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday at Bradenton Funeral Home, 5827 14th St. W. Memorial. Service will be 10 a.m. Thursday at Bradenton Missionary Village. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery, St. Petersburg. Memorial contributions may be made to the Richard and Doris Atwell Memorial Fund for Africa, c/o Salvation Army, 1204 14th St. W., Bradenton, Fla. 34205.

The Bradenton Herald (Bradenton, Florida), June 30, 2000

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