The Rev. Dr. David P. Birch, 98, of Lititz, PA died Thursday, March 21, 2024 at Moravian Manor. Born in Youngstown, Ohio, he was the son of the late Roy E. Birch, Sr. and Emma Morris Birch. David was the husband of Janet Baugh Birch. They celebrated their 70th anniversary on September 3, 2023. He has lived in S. Central Pennsylvania for 48 years. He graduated from high school in Struthers, OH in 1944. He then joined the US Navy from 1944 to 1946 where he served in the Medical Corps. He graduated from Muskingum College in New Concord, OH in He graduated from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary in 1952 with a Master of Religion degree. In 1977 he earned the Doctor of Ministry degree from Pittsburgh Seminary. David served as Minister of Education at the Sunset Hills Presbyterian Church in Pittsburgh, PA, Pastor of the House of Hope Presbyterian Church in Bellerose, NY, Head of Staff of the First Presbyterian Church, Dodge City, KS, Head of Staff of the First Presbyterian Church, Wheeling, WV and as Mission Consultant on the staff of the synod of the Trinity of the Presbyterian Church USA. He retired in 1986. After retirement he served as Interim Pastor of the Derry Presbyterian Church in Hershey, PA and as Visitation Pastor for the Paxton Presbyterian Church in Harrisburg, PA. Dr Birch was interested in the needs of people throughout his ministry. While in Kansas he was instrumental in bringing mental health services to Ford County, KS. He was chairperson for Red Cross Disaster Relief for Ford County. In Wheeling he was the Chairperson of the city Human Rights Commission for four years. He was one of the prime movers in an effort for the churches of Wheeling to work together in a Cooperative ministry to the poor. At the death of Martin Luther King he, along with several other Wheeling Pastors, formed the Greater Wheeling Community Development Council to work for better relations among the races. He served as the Chairperson of the Volunteer Advisory Board at Hershey Medical Center. He served as Vice Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of Davis and Elkins College in Elkins, WV. He was very active in the community life at Moravian Manor where he lived for the past 24 years. He served as President of the Residents Association, the Board of Trustees and numerous other committees. While serving in New York he served as the Clerk of the United Presbyterian Synod of New York. In Kansas he was the Moderator of the Presbytery of the High Plains and in Wheeling he was the Moderator of the Upper Ohio Valley Presbytery. He also served as a member of a number of Presbytery Committees, usually in the area of mission development of youth work. He was popular with young people and directed many summer camps and conferences. Dr. Birch enjoyed traveling, searching for antiques, refinishing furniture, photography, writing, singing and reading. He enjoyed teaching and writing study papers. He is survived by his wife, Janet; daughter, Deborah of Greenfield Park, NY; son, Timothy and grandson Jason of Wheeling WV.