The Rev. Dianne Kareha, chaplain at Luther Crest Retirement Community, South Whitehall, is mourning the loss of her father who died Tuesday.

She is also remembering the man who recently moved to Luther Crest to be closer to his daughter.

Her dad, William T. Murray Jr., 86, died after falling into a drainage ditch in the 4600 block of Broadway, South Whitehall Township, Lehigh County Coroner Scott M. Grim said.

Murray was pronounced dead 11:15 a.m. Aug. 5 by Grim.

Grim said it appears Murray fell down an embankment and into the ditch.

The site is near Tilghman Square Mall and Wendy's.

"My dad probably got hungry and was walking to Wendy's," Pastor Kareha told The Press the day after her dad's death.

Pastor Kareha said she and her dad would drive down Hausman Road from Luther Crest, across Tilghman Street, to the local Wendy's.

Kareha said her dad, who broke his hip before Christmas and was using a new walker, had suffered a weight loss last month.

"He was doing much better," Pastor Kareha said. "Luther Crest was bringing him back to life again. He was feeling his oats.

"He loved it here and he was making great strides. He was doing what he loved."

Pastor Kareha said her dad was a skier.

"He was a wonderful man, a wonderful role model and a wonderful father," Pastor Kareha said.

Grim said his office and South Whitehall Township police are conducting an investigation.

According to South Whitehall Township Police Sgt. Michael Sorrentino, who spoke with The Press Wednesday, a passerby called 911 to report the incident.

Diakon Senior Vice President of Corporate Communications and Public Relations Bill Swanger emailed The Press the following statement from Lin Ferrol, executive director of Luther Crest, regarding Chaplain Kareha's loss:

"The staff members and residents of Luther Crest are deeply saddened by this tragic loss of life and are keeping Mr. Murray's family, particularly his daughter, our long-time chaplain, the Rev. Dianne Kareha, in our thoughts and prayers," Ferrol said. "We consider the security of residents one of our most important responsibilities and take numerous steps to assure that safety and well-being.

"At the same time, we recognize that we also must offer the freedoms any person living independently has and so senior living residents, in our community as well as in any continuing care retirement community, are always free to come and go as they please.

"We want to thank the local community, including the police and county personnel, for their support and service during this difficult period."