The Rev. Dr. Neil Wayne Gerdes

The Reverend Dr. Neil Gerdes—librarian, professor, and beloved counselor to two generations of seminarians—died on 6 November 2016 at the age of 73.

Neil Wayne Gerdes was born in Moline, Illinois, on 19 October 1943 to Della Bennett Ferguson Gerdes and John Edward Gerdes. He earned a B.A. from the University of Illinois, an S.T.B from Harvard, masters degrees from both Columbia University (NY) and University of Chicago, and a D.Min. from the University of St. Mary of the Lake (Mundelein IL).

The focus of Neil’s ministry was his 40-year tenure as theological educator and librarian at Meadville Lombard Theological School in Chicago. The Rev’d Dr. Lee Barker, Meadville president, described Neil as “…a wonderful mentor to students, a lover of books and information, … an erudite conversationalist, a man of very goofy humor, and a champion for liberal theological education… The school has lost one of its giants.”

Shortly after Neil’s death, tributes poured in. Several Meadville alums praised the generosity of his personal presence, calling him “the soul of the school.” The Rev’d Jackie Ziegler recalled that Neil “led a group of Meadville Lombard seminarians interested in discovering how we could create a model of spiritual direction within the frame of Unitarian Universalism’s diverse theologies/philosophies. We were told it wasn’t possible – practical – but Neil showed us a way.”

He is survived by four sisters and two generations of nieces and nephews.

Oct. 11, 2016

Sept. 14. 2016

August 2, 2016

June 13, 2016

Robert Holler

Mr. Robert Holler, life partner of the Reverend Thomas Anastasi, died on October 30, 2016 at the age of 71. Bob made many friends at the congregations they served, especially at Shoreline, Washington and Goleta, California, where he and Thomas were married in August, 2013 — exactly 32 years after they met.

[A more complete obituary is pending.]

Wayne Patrick Fulkerson

Wayne Fulkerson

Wayne Fulkerson, the spouse of The Reverend Peg Morgan, died October 19, 2016, following a stroke.

He was born August 22, 1935 in Portland Oregon to Marie Markstaller and Glenn Fulkerson. His parents, unable to care for him at the time, left him with an aunt and uncle, Selma and George Linville. Three years later, they retrieved him and took him to California, where they entered him in child beauty contests. He often came in second in these contests, but they returned to Portland two years later.

Eventually, his parents separated and his mother remarried. This was a volatile relationship that involved drinking and depression. Wayne often felt responsible to keep his mother from committing suicide. When he graduated from high school, Wayne enlisted in the Navy, and was sent to serve in San Diego CA. After his service ended, he enrolled at San Diego State University, where he met and married Sharilyn Ruth Allan.

Wayne and Sherry remained in San Diego for 15 years and had one son, Mark, before relocating to Redmond WA, where Wayne took a position with Safeco Insurance. He enjoyed his work, investigating clients to verify that they had provided complete information on their applications for coverage, and mentoring many new women auditors. A change in the company’s management drove him to seek better skills in dealing with stress and resolving conflict, which led him to discover Buddhism. When he developed heart health issues, he took an early retirement.

After retiring, Wayne was Sharilyn’s assistant in her accounting business. He also pursued a hobby of successful handicapping of horses, using various computer programs he developed. Sherry and Wayne treasured their dogs and cats; and they loved the diverse wildlife that lived in their backyard, a deep ravine. Sadly, Sherry died of lung cancer in 1999.

Wayne Fulkerson

Wayne found new love with Peg Morgan, and they married in 2002. With her, he travelled the world, explored spirituality, loved their poodle Angie, and shared beloved friends. Together, they experienced a weeklong retreat with Thich Nhat Hahn, the great Vietnamese Buddhist teacher. Wayne learned about the power of community as he integrated into Westside UU Congregation, where Peg served. He sang in the choir, and loved sharing his Buddhist beliefs. He loved the values that UUs teach our children and supported all that his community stands for.

He is survived by his wife Peg Morgan, her sons Chris and Paul Morgan and families; son Mark Fulkerson and family; cousin Donald Linville and his children. He will be dearly missed by all who knew him.

Gifts may be directed to Westside Unitarian Universalist Congregation, (for the Memorial Fund to support children’s, justice, and spiritual growth programs), 7141 California Avenue SW, Seattle WA 98136.

The Rev. Julie Denny-Hughes

The Reverend Julie Denny-Hughes, parish minister, steady advocate for social justice, lover of humor and music, died on 14 October 2016 at the age of 70.

Julie Ann Denny was born on 4 April 1946 to Helen Pentzer Denny and Morris Duane Denny and grew up in Bedford, Indiana. Music was central in Julie’s childhood as she joined her older siblings in backyard musical productions, showing the creativity and free-spirited independence that guided her throughout life. Later, at Bedford High School, performance with the Madrigal Singers was her favorite among numerous clubs and activities. After earning a B.A. in American literature from the University of Illinois in 1972, she worked for twenty years in the computer software industry as a technical writer, trainer, and independent consultant.

Julie found Unitarian Universalism in 1978 at the UU Congregation of Princeton (NJ), where she became an active member and led the congregation’s first “Cakes for the Queen of Heaven” course. Eventually the call to ministry led her to Meadville Lombard Theological School where she received her M.Div. in 1995, earning the school’s faculty award for Excellence in Religious Leadership.

Julie was first called to the UU Community Church of Glen Allen (VA), where the membership more than doubled during her four-year ministry (1995-99). This was followed by parish service to the UU Fellowship of Raleigh (NC), Countryside Church UU, Palatine (IL), and the UU Church of Halifax (NS).

Julie is survived by her daughter Suzannah Wilson Overholt, son Phillip Earl Wilson Jr., five grandchildren, brother Marc Denny, sister Marian “Susie” Rumsey, and several nieces and nephews. A memorial service was held on 22 October 2016 at the First Christian Church in Bedford, Indiana.

Deedee Agee

Deedee Agee, 69, wife of Reverend Paul Sprecher, died October 1, 2016, after a four-month struggle with cancer. She passed away at their home in Scituate, Massachusetts, surrounded by her husband and sons.
Deedee was born Julia Teresa Agee on November 7, 1946. Her grandmother called her “Chickadee” and her rendering – “Deedee” – became the name she used for the rest of her life. She grew up in Greenwich Village and lived much of her life in New York City. She moved with her family to Ridgewood, New Jersey in 1992 and then to the Boston area in 2005. Deedee was an active participant in the Unitarian Society of Ridgewood, and Second Parish congregation in Hingham, MA, when Paul was called to serve there. After his retirement she began attending the Old Ship/First Parish in Hingham.
She was the daughter of the writer James Agee and Mia Agee, and was an accomplished artist of both words and images. Deedee had an MFA in creative writing from Columbia University and was a writer of memoir and essays. She was awarded a Geraldine R. Dodge Fellowship and membership in the Writer’s Room of Boston. Her writing appeared in DoubleTake magazine as well as in several anthologies. She read some of her stories at the Cornelia Street Café (the street where her father once had a studio), at libraries and other local venues, and on NPR. At the time of her death she was completing a memoir of growing up in Greenwich Village entitled Momentum. She was also an accomplished visual artist, remembered especially for her drawings and prints, which were shown at the South Shore Art Center, the Cambridge Art Association, the Danforth Art Museum, and the Duxbury Arts Association, among others.
Her calm, loving manner, her wonderful cooking, and her beautiful art and words will be greatly missed by her family and her many friends.
Deedee is survived by her husband Paul; by her three sons, James Bollinger and David and Sean Sprecher; and by her siblings Joel, Andrea, and John Agee. Her memorial service was held at the Old Ship Church, Hingham, MA on Saturday, October 15, 2016. The family asks that contributions in her memory be sent to the South Shore Art Center, 119 Ripley Road, Cohasset, MA 02025. Notes of condolence may be sent to Paul Sprecher, 27 Grove St., Scituate, MA 02066-3210.

The Rev. Dr. Spencer Lavan

The Rev. Dr. Spencer Lavan—parish minister, scholar, seminary president, and wise, friendly, generous mentor—died on 29 September 2016 in Brunswick, Maine, at age 78, after a long decline from Parkinson’s disease.

Dr. Lavan’s full and varied career led him to service in the parish, the academy, community ministry, and public agencies. Students and faculty at Meadville Lombard School during his presidency there recall how Spencer and his wife Susan “took a personal interest in each of their students, creating a hospitality that drew the entire…community together” (Lee Barker).

Spencer Lavan was born on 31 December 1937 to Fay and Peter Lavan in New York City. He earned a B.A. in English from Tufts University in 1959, a B.D. from Harvard Divinity School

in 1962, and from McGill University (Montréal) an M.A. in Islamic studies in 1965 and a Ph.D. in comparative religions in 1970.

Ordained in 1962, Spencer served parish ministries in Charleston (SC) and Montréal, and as campus minister at McGill University during his graduate studies there. Soon thereafter he turned to academic work, first at Northeastern University (MA) for two years and then Tufts University (MA) for a decade. He organized and chaired the Department of Medical Humanities at the University of New England, Maine (1982-88) and then served Meadville Lombard Theological School as president and dean for eight years (1988-96).

Dr. Lavan received three honorary degrees and authored two scholarly books. He had a passion for teaching, enjoyed traveling, classical music, sailing, and playing the piano.

Spencer is survived by his spouse of 55 years, Susan Lavan, children Jonathan, Daniel, Timothy, and Joanna, six grandchildren, and a brother, Lawrence.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are encouraged to Meadville Lombard Theological School: www.meadville.edu/donate/. Notes of condolence may be sent to Susan Lavan at 11 Cascos Way, Harpswell, ME 04079.