The Rev. Steven Protzman

The Rev. Steven Protzman died on January 29, 2024, at the age of 65 (1958-2024).

Steven is survived by his mother, Carol Protzman; and seven siblings: Charles, Chris, Dawn Werling, Kevin, Brendan, Eric, and Marcia Grimes; as well as dozens of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Plans for a memorial service will be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of one’s own choosing.

Notes of condolences can be written here
<https://www.bisslerandsons.com/obituary/RevSteven-Protzman#tributewall>.

A more complete obituary will be forthcoming after biographical research has been completed. It will be published in an upcoming issue of Elderberries and posted on the UURMaPA website.If any readers would wish to contribute information or reminiscences, we would welcome them. Please send them to UURMaPA’s clergy obituary editor, Rev. Jay Atkinson – jayatk40@gmail.com

The Rev. Betty L. Pingel

The Rev. Betty L. Pingel died on September 6, 2023, at the age of 97 (1925-2023).

Betty was born on September 26, 1925, in Denver CO to Mitchell Leavitt and Marjorie O’Neill Leavitt. She was raised mostly in Denver by her mother and attended East Denver High School ,graduating in 1943. Ever since high school, she worked in the church, as a volunteer, in the choir, on committees, and in the church school. In 1948, she received her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Colorado.

Betty began her career as a professional Religious Education Director at the First Universalist Church of Denver (1963-1975). During her 13 years there, she was meaningfully involved with adolescents and was remarkably appreciated for her counseling to young people in troubled family situations. She also built a strong community amongst the youth. From 1976 to 1977, she was employed as a consultant in religious education at the UU Church of Boulder CO where she facilitated RE teachers as they worked toward the expression of values and goals.

Betty’s long work in religious education in the church with children, young people, and their parents, served to intensify a natural concern for meaning in the most direct and personal ways. She realized a need for her career to focus on assisting people to grow and change. As a birthright Unitarian, Betty knew the importance of UUism in her own life but now she wished to become a UU minister and work professionally with a church as a facilitator, theologian/preacher, counselor, and educator. In 1977, she earned her Master of Divinity from the Iliff School of Theology in Denver.

Rev. Pingel was ordained by the First Unitarian Church of Denver on May 29, 1977. Following ordination, she served the Second Unitarian Church of Omaha NE as their first full-time settled minister (1977–1981), helping the church double its membership and budget. In 1981, she accepted a call from the UU Church of Fresno CA, where she would serve until 1992. At the Fresno church, she worked to strengthen music, invited children to be a part of the church community, and accommodated RE programs for them. The church was also very proud of her visibility in the wider community. In 1992, the UU Church of Fresno honored her as their minister emerita.

Subsequently, her work turned toward interim ministry at the Gathering at Northern Hills, Cincinnati OH (1992–1993). She helped the Board review their strengths and weaknesses and offered new practical ideas. In addition, she raised the visibility of the RE program, integrated children into the service, and actively worked with consultants and canvass committees in fundraising. Rev. Pingel served as a leader helping to resolve conflicts and heal wounds. From 1993 to 1994, she served her interim ministry at the UU Church of Akron, in Fairlawn OH, moving the church toward health enough to call their next minister. 

Thereafter she served the Rogue Valley UU Fellowship, Ashland OR (1994-1995), and The UU Church in Eugene OR (1995–1997). At Eugene, she helped rewrite bylaws and created a policy manual and a vision statement. Following her retirement in 1997, Rev. Pingel provided her services to the UU Congregation of the Grand Valley, Grand Junction CO (1998-1999), as a consulting minister. She gave each of her interim congregations just the strokes, encouragement, and gentle spurring they needed.

In addition to her parish and interim ministries, Rev. Pingel served on the board of the Pacific Central District, and the UU Women’s Federation. She was a member of the UUMA, LREDA, and MSUU. While she was a religious educator, the UUA’s Department of Education published her articles, including: 

“Curriculum in Action #10, Understanding Our Church” 
“The Conscientious Objector and Our Church School,” and 
“Curriculum for Now, #6, Unitarian Universalism as a Valuing Religion.”

In the wider community, Betty served as a member of various groups, such as the Fresno Women’s Network, the League of Women Voters, and The Forum (a professional women’s discussion group). She sat on the boards of the Planned Parenthood of Omaha and of Fresno. For 70 years, she spoke and worked for justice, from civil rights, peace, and nuclear disarmament to Black Lives Matter and global income inequality. She was always hopeful and optimistic, willing to laugh, to learn, to change. She fulfilled the highest criteria of integrity, religious concern, morality, sheer hard work, and warm regard for other human beings. Her sensitivity and wholesomeness permitted others to identify with the human qualities of different cultures and lifestyles. 

In her leisure time, Betty loved to listen to traditional jazz and continued her search for knowledge through news, books, and magazines. She traveled extensively with Elderhostel and to visit her children and grandchildren across the U.S. She looked forward to family visits to Denver.

Betty is survived by her son, Mitchell (Peggy); daughters, Barbara Ortega, Gale Loveitt (Thomas Walker), and Shirley Karuzas (Michael ‘Crash’); seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Walter, and son-in-law, Albert Ortega.

A celebration of life was held on Saturday, September 30, 2023, at the First Unitarian Society of Denver.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Indian College Fund <https://collegefund.org/>, 8333 Greenwood Blvd, Denver CO 80221; or the First Unitarian Society of Denver <https://fusden.org/>, 1400 Lafayette St, Denver CO 80218. Notes of condolence can be written here:
<https://www.abplace-funeral-cremation.com/obituaries/Betty-Pingel/#!/TributeWall>.

Martha Pohl

Martha Louise (Warren) Pohl, 90, died Aug. 14, 2023, at her 1889 homestead surrounded by her loving family. She was the beloved wife of Rev. Dr. David C. Pohl, with whom she shared nearly 68 years of marriage.

Martha was born Nov. 10, 1932, the daughter of Edwin H. and Helen M. (Pearson) Warren. Martha grew up on the Family Farm, valedictorian of her class at Chelmsford High School. She studied at Lowell General Hospital, graduating in 1953 as a Certified Registered Nurse, and served four years at Mass. General Hospital in Boston.

On Oct. 26, 1954, she met her future husband David at his ordination at the First Parish in Bedford MA. They were married in 1955. In 1957, she gave birth to their first child Elizabeth Louise and in 1962, Eric was born. They moved to the First UU Church of Cleveland OH, in 1957 and four years later to the First UU Congregation of Ottawa ONT. A decade later, they moved to Boston, where David joined the Department of Ministry at the UUA, where he served until retirement in 1993.

Martha resumed her nursing career at MA nursing homes in North Reading, Stoneham, Lexington, and later in Acton. In 1985, she joined David in a four-and-a-half month sabbatical in Australia, where he served the Unitarian church in Adelaide. In the closing days of their time there, an invitation came to attend a reception for a visiting Queen Elizabeth, as she unveiled a statue honoring Catherine Helen Spence, a Unitarian suffragist. 

When Martha’s father died in 1986 he left Martha his Chelmsford home and shared ownership of the farmland with her brother Franklin. Franklin farmed the land, but died in 2015. Five years later, the Pohl and Warren families sold the 54 acres to the Town of Chelmsford, creating The Warren-Pohl Conservation Reservation. 

In retirement, Martha and David enjoyed gardening, their 1967 Vermont cottage, and travel. Her life was abruptly interrupted in mid-April this year with a major stroke. She was initially recovering, but then suffered several setbacks that led to a private, poignant conversation with David in which she sought his agreement that she begin home hospice care. It was a profoundly sad promise grounded in their deep and abiding love.

In addition to her husband, Martha is survived by her daughter Elizabeth Louise (Dean Corner) of Augusta ME, and granddaughters Miriam Elizabeth of Lowell MA, and the Reverend Erica Rose Long of Cambridge; her son, Eric Warren (Mary Patricia Anderson) of Chelmsford, and grandchildren Ethan Warren of Kingston ONT; Elena Ruth of Sherbrooke QUE.; Laura Elizabeth of Westmore VT; Andre Anderson of Chelmsford, and numerous nieces and nephews. 

The public is invited to a Memorial Service Sunday, Oct. 8, at 2 p.m. at the First Parish in Concord, 20 Lexington Road, Concord MA. A reception will follow. Memorial donations may be made to the Town of Chelmsford/Warren-Pohl Reservation, 50 Billerica Road, Chelmsford MA 01824.

The Rev. Emily Morse Palmer

The Rev. Emily Morse Palmer died on March 30, 2023, at the age of 93 (1929-2023).

Emily is survived by her four children: Linden Palmer Madara (Steven), Sidney M. Palmer, Page Palmer (Craig), and Grant S. Palmer (Heather); as well as twelve grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.

She was given a green burial in Heartwood Preserve Conservation Cemetery, FL on April 6, 2023. A celebration of life was held at Shell Point Retirement Community, FL on April 14, 2023.

Memorial donations may be made to charity of one’s own choosing. UURMaPA will contribute to the UUMA Endowment Fund in honor of our colleague’s ministry. Notes of condolence can be sent to Lin Madara, 7999 Craginhall Court, Dublin OH 43017.

A more complete obituary will be forthcoming after biographical research has been completed. If any readers would wish to contribute information or reminiscences, we would welcome them. Please send them to UURMaPA’s clergy obituary editor, Jay Atkinson – jayatk40@gmail.com

The Rev. Jeanne Marie Pupke

The Rev. Jeanne Marie Pupke died on February 9, 2022, at the age of 66.

Jeanne is survived by her mother, Ruth Webb Pupke; her siblings, Eileen Duggan, Donald Pupke, Jr (Nancy), Daniel Pupke, Robert Pupke (Heather), Margaret Digena (Joseph), Christine Edwards (Chris); and very many nephews and nieces. She is also survived by her spouse of 28 years, Regina Largent, and her sisters, Michelle (Bill) Barris and Renee Ray. She was preceded in death by her father, Donald V. Pupke.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, February 19, 2022, at the First Unitarian Universalist Church, 1000 Blanton Avenue, Richmond, VA 23221. The event will be live-streamed at https://youtube.com/c/FirstUnitarianUniversalistChurchofRichmond.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Richmond Pledge and First Unitarian Universalist Church at the First Unitarian Universalist Church, 1000 Blanton Avenue, Richmond, VA 23221. UURMaPA will contribute $50 to UUMA Endowment Fund in honor of our colleague’s ministry.

Notes of condolence can be sent to Regina Largent at 7807 Granite Hall Ave, Richmond, VA 23225.

A more complete obituary will be forthcoming after biographical research has been completed.

Patricia “Patty” Prevost

Patty Prevost

Patricia Prevost, the spouse of Reverend Dr. Stephan Papa, died 11 March 2021 in Colorado, at age 69. Patty was born 26 March 1951 in Freeport, New York to Arthur and Katherine Prevost, and attended school in Wantagh, NY, where she established friendships that she would sustain throughout her life. After high school, Patty attended Keene State College in New Hampshire, then graduated cum laude from The State University of New York in Geneseo in 1973. She had become involved with the student radio station and earned her degree in speech communications.

With her degree in hand, she spent time trying out work experiences, taking employment in a variety of positions in Manhattan, Maryland, and Florida. She had attended Unitarian Universalist churches since grade school – a consequence of her parents coming from different religious backgrounds – and it was at the Unitarian Church in Fort Lauderdale that she and Stephan net in 1980. They married in 1982, and moved to Denver, Colorado later that year.

In Denver, Patty worked for a wine importer, then for a classical radio station, then for Colorado Public Radio, where she eventually became Vice-President of Development and Marketing. In 2001 they moved to Devon, Pennsylvania, where she worked for the Free Library of Philadelphia, and then as Director of Development and Communication for WRTI public radio. Returning to Denver in 2010, Patty worked again for CPR, for Rocky Mountain PBS, and retired in 2017 from her position as Director of Leadership Giving at KUNC.

Patty loved musicals, walking, talking, travel, Pilates and yoga, and she had an astounding capacity to engage with people. She was an excellent listener and unusually adept at remembering details of others’ lives. She was charming and witty and caring, and her social skills empowered her success as a fundraiser. Many people testified to the joy they had in being with her for a variety of experiences.

In addition to Stephan, Patty is survived their daughter, Alexandra Prevost Papa, her husband Tyler Childers, and their son, Parker Chapin Childers, and also by her mother, her brother, Roger, her cousin, Katherine Haynes and family.

The Rev. Ernest “Ernie” D. Pipes, Jr.

The Rev. Ernest “Ernie” D. Pipes, Jr. died on February 10, 2021 at the age of 94.

Ernie was born on October 6, 1926 in San Antonio, TX to Ernest D. Pipes and Ora Lemon Pipes. He completed his Freshman and Sophomore years at Rice Institute in Houston where he studied Chemical Engineering. In 1944, due to his chemical engineering training, when he entered the Navy, he was placed in the Fire Control School at the Naval Base in San Diego. He was trained in gunnery Fire Control in both San Diego and Florida. He spent eleven months abroad serving on the Destroyer 558 in the Pacific and was discharged in 1946.

In early 1947, Ernie joined a program of the Unitarian Church in San Antonio, TX. He returned to college to study Philosophy and received his Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Religion from Trinity University, TX (1949). At this time, he developed quite an interest in social sciences, and did a great deal of work in sociology and economics. In the year or two that followed, he became increasingly aware of the rich possibilities in
the work of religious liberalism. The intellectual freedom offered by the Unitarian tradition allied with his active practice of respect for human reason and human dignity. He wanted to contribute to the shared quest for good living. Unitarianism was that established institution in which he could work to achieve ends which were significant to him. In the wake of this call, he entered Harvard University (1949), and graduated with a Bachelor of Divinity in 1952.

Rev. Pipes was ordained on June 27, 1951 by the First Unitarian Congregation of San Antonio, TX.  Following his ordination, he served as a pastor at the Unitarian Fellowship of the Sabine Area, TX (1951). He then served in parish ministry at the First UU Society of Albany, NY (1952-1956). In 1956, he accepted a call from the UU Community Church of Santa Monica (UUCCSM), CA and served for thirty-five years until 1991. His ministry at Santa Monica stressed diversity and freedom in the congregation and in the pulpit. He counselled women on obtaining safe abortions. He made church an intellectually stimulating community center where diversity of programs and activities were fostered to meet the interest and needs of a wide range of individuals. In 1991, he retired from his active parish ministry. Upon his retirement, UUCCSM honored him as their minister emeritus. Also, in 1991, UUCCSM established an annual lecture series named *Ernie Pipes Lecture Series* which presents speakers on social justice, religion,
philosophy, and other topics of worldly concerns. After retirement, Rev. Pipes continued leading classes and discussion groups for UUCCSM.

Rev. Pipes’ denominational affiliation included serving as a delegate from Mohawk Valley, NY to the Middle Atlantic States Regional Council. For the Pacific Coast Unitarian Council (Regional Board), he served as a member (1959-1962) and as President (1960-1961). Additionally, he served as President of the Council of Liberal Ministers, Los Angeles (1959-1961).

Rev. Pipes was a member of the Citizen’s Committee for Albany, NY Public Schools; National Association for Advancement of Colored People (NAACP); and American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). He provided his services as a Vice-President to the West Los Angeles-Santa Monica Fair Housing Committee (1960-1961), and to the Santa Monica-Bay Area Ministerial Association. He was one of the board members of Sunset Hall, a retirement home for progressive elders started by the Women’s Alliance of the First Unitarian Church in Los Angeles, CA. He taught Philosophy of Religion and Systems of Ethics in the Department of Adult Education at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).

Ernie had great interests in comparative religion and the nature of human consciences. In his spare time, he enjoyed family activities and loved reading. He occasionally published book reviews in the Journal of Liberal Religion and Frontier Magazine.

Ernie is survived by his children: Bruce, Heather, and Gordon. He was preceded in death by his wife, Margaret Cope Pipes.

A virtual memorial service was held at 1 pm on Saturday, May 1, 2021.

UURMaPA will contribute $50 to the UUMA Endowment Fund in honor of our colleague’s ministry.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Unitarian Universalist Church of Santa Monica <https://www.uusm.org/>, 1260 18th Street, Santa Monica, CA 90404.

The Rev. David A. Pettee

The Rev. David A. Pettee died on September 13, 2020 at the age of 63.

David is survived by his fiancée Jen Nahas; daughters Sophie and Hannah; brother Jon and father James.

A memorial service was planned to be held on Nov. 11, 2021, at the Follen Community Church in Lexington, MA. The service will be live streamed.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Axia, to Coming to the Table, or to the Wopanaak Language Reclamation Project. UURMaPA will contribute $50 to the UUMA Endowment Fund in honor of our colleague’s ministry.

Notes of condolences may be sent to Jen Nahas at 2 Waterman Road, Cambridge, MA 02138.

A more complete obituary will be forthcoming after biographical research has been completed.

The Rev. Dr. Oliver “Gene” E. Pickett

The Rev. Dr. Oliver “Gene” E. Pickett died on July 19, 2020, at the age of 94. Gene was president of the UUA from 1979 to 1985.

Gene is survived by his three daughters: Anne, Martha, and Emily; his grandson Alan; and many close friends and loving relationships. He was preceded in death by his wife, Helen R. Pickett.

A virtual informal remembrance will be held in early August.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Unitarian Universalist Association. UURMaPA  will contribute $50 to the UUMA Endowment Fund, in honor of our colleague’s ministry.

Notes of condolence can be sent to his daughter Martha at ghpickett2@gmail.com.

A more complete obituary will be forthcoming after research has been completed.

The Rev. Dr. David B. Parke

The Rev. Dr. David B. Parke died on June 6, 2020, at the age of 91.

David is survived by his four sons: Richard, John (wife Brett Warren), Edward (wife Dawn Walnut), and William (wife, Elizabeth); his two daughters: Robin Melavalin (wife Dianne Hammer); and Alison Melavalin; his eight grandchildren, and four great grandchildren; his brother Andrew; as well as several nieces, nephews, and cousins.  He was preceded in death by his older brother, Robert Parke Jr.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the NAACP, 4805 Mt. Hope Dr., Baltimore, MD, 21215.

A memorial service will be held in Boston at a later date.  Burial will be at Forrest Lawn Cemetery, Buffalo, NY.

Notes of condolences may be sent to John Parke, Jr. at 51 Center Street, Yarmouth Port, MA 02675

UURMaPA will contribute $50 to the UUMA Endowment Fund in honor of our colleague’s ministry.

A more informed obituary will be forthcoming.