The Rev. Dr. Glen Snowden died on June 21, 2020, at the age of 87.
He is survived by his fiancée, Margaret (Margi) Hoyt Nasemann; daughter Julie Snowden Martin; his grandsons: Jesse Tyler Martin and Gregory Kyle Martin; his sisters Barbara Green, Anna Mae Beddows and her husband Jerry; as well as many nieces, nephews, and close friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Lorraine, son-in-law Rick Martin, brother Armon Snowden and sister Mary Lou Snowden.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the musical, educational, or religious institution of one’s own choosing. UURMaPA will contribute $50 to the UUMA Endowment Fund in honor of our colleague’s ministry.
A more complete obituary will be forthcoming after biographical research has been completed.
The creative sageing award was given to two people this year, Dr. Esther A. H. Hopkins and the Rev. Dr. David C. Pohl. The Rev. Phyllis Hubbell presented the awards on behalf of UURMaPA during a video conference call since our annual luncheon could not take place in person due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The citations follow:
Esther A. H. Hopkins
We honor Dr. Esther A. H. Hopkins for the varied and diverse paths taken in her retirement years. Dr. Hopkins had a distinguished career as a biophysical chemist and as a Patent Attorney. She was meanwhile an active member of her professional society, being a National Councilor of The American Chemical Society, (ACS) for more than thirty years, recognized by them as a Fellow.
Retiring from The Polaroid Corporation, she became a Deputy General Counsel in the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). Meanwhile she was a Trustee of her alma mater, Boston University, serving twenty-two years as trustee and a further ten as an Overseer. She gave a Century Scholarship to the University.
After retiring from DEP, she went into politics in Framingham becoming the only Afro-American ever elected to a public office in the 317 years that Framingham was a town. She was a member of the Board of Selectmen and served a term as its chair. She also served on the finance committee, and the Tercentennial Commission, was elected to the Representative Town Meeting, and the Regional Vocational School Committee.
She was an active member of First Parish in Framingham and now, at 93 is active with the Unitarian Universalist Society of Martha’s Vineyard where she served on the Intern Committee, the Installation Committee and the Worship Committee. She represented the families of deceased ministers at the annual UUA Service of the Living Tradition, served on the Committee to Select the Hymnbook Commission, and endowed the UUA’s T. Ewell Hopkins Ministerial Aid Fund.
UURMAPA proudly honors Esther Hopkins with the 2020 Creative Sageing Award!
David C. Pohl
Before he retired, the Rev. Dr. David C. Pohl enjoyed a long and distinguished career in Unitarian Universalist ministry both as a settled minister and in later roles with the Unitarian Universalist Association Department of Ministry. Rev. Pohl retired in 1993 but returned to serve as interim Director of the Ballou Channing District.
Rev. Pohl worked in two major roles in his retirement. He served from 2003 until 2016 as First Vice President of the Unitarian Service Pension Society. The Pension Society provides Service Gratuities to approximately 350 retired UU ministers. Rev. Pohl also began work in 2003 as President of the UU Society for Ministerial Relief, a position he continues to hold. This organization provides needed financial support to retired ministers and their surviving partners. It holds an endowment of over $14 million; under Dr. Pohl’s leadership, it disburses over $400,000 annually in special and ongoing grants.
Rev. Pohl’s dedication to our faith has led him to take on innumerable other responsibilities throughout his retirement years including membership on the boards of trustees for Meadville Lombard Theological School and the Church of the Larger Fellowship. He was on the Placement Committee of the International Council of Unitarian Universalists, finding ministers to fill pulpits abroad during their sabbatical years. As a presenter for the UUMA’s Center program on Ministry, he led programs at half a dozen districts. But perhaps most importantly, he has also spoken at numerous ordination and installations and conducted or given eulogies for many colleagues and their partners. He has clearly touched many lives. He is a minister’s minister.
The Unitarian Universalist Retired Ministers and Partners Association (UURMAPA) is pleased to honor Rev. Pohl with its 2020 “Creative Sageing” Award!
The Reverend Gertrude Lindener-Stawski—singer, pianist, scholar, and passionate gardener, whose interest in music led her to Unitarian Universalism and eventually to her calling to ministry—died peacefully on 12 June 2020 in Halifax, Nova Scotia, aged 89.
She was a longtime member of the Prairie Group of UU ministers (1974–2003). In retirement, she became known around Columbia, MO, as an “orchid guru.”
Gertrude Vutz was born on 4 April 1931 in Racine, Wisconsin, to Wilhelm and Mathilde Vutz. After a family move, she grew up in Ohio. and at high school graduation was ranked as the top student in the state.
Gertrude Lindener-Stawski
After earning her B.Mus. in piano at Oberlin Conservatory, OH, in 1952, she and her husband Arthur Lindener lived near Montréal, Canada, but divorced in 1961. She became active in the Lakeshore Unitarian Congregation (SE of Montréal), and eventually earned her ministerial degree from Crane Theological School (Medford, MA) in 1968.
After parish settlement at the United Church of Bethel, VT (1968–73), where she was ordained on 27 October 1968, the Rev’d Ms. Lindener moved to the First Unitarian Society of Madison, WI, as Minister of Education (1973–80). She was called to the UU Fellowship [now Church] of Columbia, MO, in 1980, but took early retirement in 1986, having met and married Conrad Stawski during her tenure there. Twenty years later the church elected her minister emerita.
That church’s present minister, the Rev’d Molly Housh Gordon wrote, “Gertrude was a brilliant woman and a scholarly minister… a kind and welcoming colleague… [Her] legacies to our congregation and to Unitarian Universalism are profound.”
Gertrude Lindener-Stawski is survived by daughter Margo Lindener, son Peter Lindener, and stepdaughter Nina Stawski.
A memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are encouraged to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, 322 Eighth Avenue, 16th Floor, New York, NY 10001.
Notes of condolences may be sent to Margo Londoner at 5908 Pine Hill Crescent, Halifax, NS Canada B3H 1E5.
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.
UURMaPA invites all recently retired ministers and their partners and existing UURMaPA members to a pre-General Assembly gathering on Zoom on June 18, 2020, from 1:00 to 2:00 pm EDT. Preregistration is required (see below).
There will be time for introductions to your colleagues, conversation and an overview of UURMaPA. Special guests will speak briefly about resources available to retirees from the UUA Department of Ministries and Faith Development and the Office of Church Staff Finances.
In a typical year, this would be a luncheon during GA. A highlight each year at this meeting is the presentation of the Creative Sageing Award to a retiree in recognition of outstanding service and creativity in pursuing new ventures after retirement. For the first time this year, we have two unrelated recipients, former Director of the Department of Ministry and current President of the Board of the Society for Ministerial Relief, the Rev. David Pohl and renowned former chemist and Deputy General Counsel of the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection Esther Hopkins who continues to be active in her church and community.
To preregister and obtain the Zoom link, contact Phyllis Hubbell, Vice President, by Friday, June 10. Please include your name and email. There is no charge. Phyllis will respond with additonal information and the Zoom link.
The Rev. Richard M. Woodman died on May 30, 2020, at the age of 90.
Richard is survived by his son Douglas L. Woodman (Kathy); his daughters:
Linda Montag (Avram), and Marilyn Woodman (Raphael Hartzog); his step
daughter Janet Rosado (Darrell Wheeler), and step son Jeff Rosado
(Caramia); his ten grandchildren, and five great granddaughters; his
sisters: Marjorie Miller and Jaon Bishop; as well as his several cousins,
nephews and great nieces. He was predeceased by his wife Pauline Rosado
Woodman, and by the mother of his children, Margaret Blair Woodman.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to VNA/hospice of Cooley
Dickinson Hospital, PO Box 329, Northampton, MA 01061-0329.
UURMaPA will contribute $50 to the UUMA Endowment Fund in honor of our colleague’s ministry.
The Rev. Dr. Glen Snowden died on June 21, 2020, at the age of 87.
