The Rev. Kenneth Roland Warren

The Reverend Kenneth Warren, parish minister and civil rights champion, died on 16 April 2016, aged 93.

Kenneth Roland Warren was born on 21 January 1923 in Oklahoma City to Chester Llewellyn and Marguerite (Packham) Warren. After service in the Merchant Marine (1942-45), he earned a B.A. from Oklahoma City University in 1949, an S.T.B. from Harvard in 1952, and a D.D. from Meadville Lombard Theological School in 1979.

Kenneth was ordained in 1952 by the First Unitarian Church of Oklahoma City and then called to the Unitarian Church of Barnstable (MA) in 1953, where he served for 38 years and was named Minister Emeritus on retirement in 1991. He went on to interim ministries in Canton, Sharon, Dorchester, Hanover, and Norwell (Assinippi Universalist Church), where in 2001 he was also named Minister Emeritus.

Mary-Elizabeth Brague writes that her father “was a model for us all in standing up for what he believed in, even if his beliefs were unpopular. He expressed his thoughts respectfully and worked to achieve harmony and understanding . . . . He was unfailingly modest, turning the conversation to others, instead of himself. Even at the end of his life . . . he was described by his caregivers as ‘always a gentleman.’”

Kenneth is survived by daughter Mary-Elizabeth Brague and two grandchildren. His beloved spouse of 53 years, Claire (Loring) Warren, died in 2006.

Donations are encouraged to the Social Justice Committee at the Unitarian Church of Barnstable, P.O. Box 285, 3330 Main Street, Barnstable, MA. Condolences may be sent to Mary-Elizabeth Brague, 31 Kerry Drive, Mansfield, MA 02048.

Dr. Elizabeth Fordon

Elizabeth Fordon

Dr. Elizabeth Fordon, 71, died April 3, 2016 after a long illness with interstitial lung disease. “Betsy,” as she was widely known, was the spouse of the Rev. Dr. John Fordon. He reports that she loved to travel, attend opera, theater, and concerts, and play bridge. She embraced Unitarian Universalism with unbounded enthusiasm, letting all who knew her see her values and belief system. In later years, she focused on raising money for young and impoverished women seeking abortions of unwanted pregnancies, until poor health began to diminish her strength.

She was the devoted mother of Andrew (who passed away at age 23,) and her grown son Philip Reed. She loved being grandmother of Philip’s children — Claire, Connor, and Brendan — and stepmother to John’s five adult children.

Betsy’s passion was her profession as a librarian. She held every possible position in public libraries, from being a teenage book-shelver to a professional Reference and then Children’s Librarian, in Florida and New York. She was a consultant for the Office of Commonwealth Libraries of Pennsylvania, an adjunct professor at several colleges and universities, and finally the director of a multi-library system in Pennsylvania. She held a Masters of Science in Library Science from Florida State University, a Masters of Public Administration from Long Island University, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Library Science, also from Florida State. She was an ardent advocate for all libraries and their staffs, collections, and programs.

John suggests that gifts of remembrance be directed to the donor’s local library.

Dorothy “Alden” Wright Davis

Dorothy Wright Davis

Dorothy “Alden” Wright Davis, 89, died peacefully March 1, 2016 in Eugene, OR. Her husband and her three children were with her as she died. She was the wife of the Rev. Charles A. Reinhardt. Alden would have turned 90 on July 29.

Born in Bryn Mawr, PA, to Guier Wright and Dorothy Battles Wright on July 29, 1926, Alden was an unabashed intellectual and scholar, traits fostered by her remarkable parents. She grew up with an insatiable curiosity and the conviction that women could do whatever they chose.

In 1947, Alden graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Mount Holyoke College with a degree in geology. While earning her graduate degree at the University of Michigan, she met Robert I. Davis of Meredith, NH, whom she married in 1949. Over the next 36 years, as they raised their family and relocated frequently, their romance and relationship never faltered.

In the 1950s, Alden and Bob lived for several years in Mexico before returning to the US where they lived in rural Pennsylvania, the Missouri Ozarks, suburban Connecticut, and the mountains of Colorado among other places. For Alden, every move was an adventure and an opportunity. So, too, was the rearing of their children, Andrew, Philip and Rebecca. As she watched her own children develop, Alden began working with children with developmental issues, particularly autism. In the 1970s, she earned her second graduate degree, this time in developmental disabilities.

Alden and Bob retired to New Hampshire in the 1970s. In Durham, they built a home that Alden designed and which incorporated their favorite elements from the many houses they’d lived in. After Bob’s death in 1985, Alden began working for the Rev. Bob Karnan at UU Church of Portsmouth, South Church, later becoming a member of the congregation. It was there that she met the Rev. Charles Reinhardt, who was doing an interim ministry there.

They got to know each other well as she helped him sort out a ministerial conflict which was splintering the church. Chuck knew she could be counted on to provide reliable information. Their collegial relationship became deeper and Alden and Chuck married in1997. The couple lived in Newcastle, until 2014, when they moved to Eugene, OR. Her second marriage proved to be as deep and enduring as the first. Alden found the love of her life: twice.

Over many years Alden enjoyed presidential politics, relying on the PBS News Hour. She had no use for commercial television. Instead she and Chuck enjoyed several book clubs and the New York Review of Books.

In 1997 Alden joined Chuck in his home in Sheepscot, Maine. Alden soon joined a local University of Maine Extension group serving local women, working with monthly sessions, and providing transportation for those members who no longer drove. She also joined Chuck in the local Midcoast UU Fellowship as well, notably, in the special effort to rescue the Sheepscot Community Church with new growth.

Chuck and Alden enjoyed Elderhostel programs in Scandinavia. They also visited the Grand Canyon, Greece (with Canadian clergy and UUs, including Alan Deale and Kathleen Hunter, and Chuck Eddis).

As she got older, Alden traveled less, but never lost her intellectual curiosity or her zest for life. Alden approached the many transitions in her life with enthusiasm, curiosity and a Zen-like acceptance of change. Shortly before her death, while reviewing the many moves she’d made, she noted, “there’s just one more move I have to make.”

She always said her proudest accomplishment was to raise three kids into adults whom she not only loved but liked. Her pride in her children was evident to all who knew her.

Alden is survived by her husband; her children; granddaughter, Leah; great-grandchildren, Elias and Astrid Alden; sister, Patricia Hume; and numerous nieces, nephews, stepchildren and grandchildren.

Sympathy notes may be sent to: Chuck Reinhardt, 65 W 30th Ave., #3403, Eugene, OR 97405.

The Rev. Paul W. Ratzlaff

The Reverend Paul Ratzlaff, beloved parish minister and activist for justice, died on 28 February 2016, aged 70.

Paul Wilmer Ratzlaff was born to Leslie and Nina Ratzlaff in Kingston, Jamaica, on 24 July 1945. He earned a B.A. from Warner Pacific College in 1966, an M.A. from Colgate University in 1968, and a Certificate from the Stevens Gesner Project to Train Men and Women for the Unitarian Universalist Ministry in 1973.

Paul was ordained by the Unitarian Society of New Brunswick, NJ, in 1974, and served there for the next six years. In 1980 he was called to the Morristown (NJ) Unitarian Fellowship, where he served for over twenty years until 2002. After a year of interim ministry with the South Nassau UU Congregation of Freeport, NY, he was subsequently called to the UU Fellowship of Huntington, NY, where he was settled for eight years until his retirement in 2012. During these ministries, Paul was a steady presence in service to the UUA, UUMA, and many local community groups.

Of her father, Hannah Ratzlaff writes: “He dedicated his life to social justice and caring for others. He . . . truly taught me the value of hard work and commitment. He had an amazing balance of kindness, wit, and empathy that allowed him to see many sides of an issue, often acting as the voice of reason for me.”

Paul is survived by his spouse Barbara, brother Dale, children Hannah and Ian, and other beloved family and friends.

The Rev. Dr. Farley W. Wheelwright

Farley Wheelwright, receiving UURMaPA award from Jon Sievert, President of the San Miguel UU congregation

The Reverend Dr. Farley Wheelwright, legendary social activist, colorful and passionate debater at UUA General Assemblies, and dedicated parish minister, died on 27 February 2016, aged 99.

Mr. Wheelwright fought devotedly against racial injustice, repeatedly traveling to Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia in the 1960s, registering voters, becoming more politically radical, and being incarcerated more than once. For all his notoriety as a social activist, however, Farley treasured his career as a pastoral minister above all else. “When I think of an afternoon spent supporting a grieving mother because of the crib death of her two-month old baby, my

participation in the social activist movement seems almost inconsequential,” he said. “It is the most exalted job I can possibly conceive of for myself and my talents.”

Farley Wilder Wheelwright was born on 5 December 1916 to a four-generation Unitarian family. He earned a B.A. from St. Lawrence University in 1957, an M.Div. from Hartford Seminary Foundation in 1961, and a D.Min. from Andover-Newton in 1977.

Mr. Wheelwright was ordained to the ministry in 1961 by the North Greenwich (Conn.) Congregational Church. He was called to the UU Church of Central Nassau (NY) in 1962 and went on to serve at the Unitarian Society of Cleveland, Ohio (1968-72), the First Unitarian Church of New Bedford, Mass (1974-80), and the UU Society of Sepulveda (Los Angeles), 1981-85, being named Minister Emeritus at Sepulveda upon his retirement, after which he served interim ministries in Australia, Boston, and Attleboro.

In Cleveland, the Rev. Mr. Wheelwright founded the Clergy Counseling Center on Abortion, supported by local UU and other liberal clergy, each voluntarily putting themselves in jeopardy of arrest. Hundreds of young and middle-aged women were sent as far away as London for safe abortions. The group made national news when Farley’s photo in clerical robes made banner headlines reading, “He leads young girls to abortion.”

Farley and his wife Virginia moved to San Miguel de Allende (Mexico) in 1993. Both were active in the Mexican community and in the local UU Fellowship of expats. Farley (along with Virginia, posthumously) was given UURMaPA’s “Creative Sage-ing” award in 2014.

Memorial gifts may be made to the Escuela de Educacion Especial and/or to Jovenes Adelante. Condolences may be sent to his daughter, Delia Moon, at 303 Mesa Lane, Santa Barbara, CA 93109.

The Rev. Dr. Orlanda R. Brugnola

Orlanda Brugnola

The Rev. Dr. Orlanda R. Brugnola, whose gentle spirit touched many hundreds of lives through creative artistry, pastoral presence, religious scholarship, committed teaching, tireless work against racism and oppression, and steady dedication to worldwide religion and interfaith dialogue, died unexpectedly on February 24, 2016, at age 69.

In devotion to interfaith cooperation and interreligious peace, Orlanda planned many conferences and programs to encourage dialogue, including the Parliament of the World’s Religions. She served as president of the Institute for the Study of Genocide for nineteen years and was long and deeply active in the International Association of Liberal Religious Women and the International Association for Religious Freedom (IARF). She served on the board of the IARF’s U.S. Chapter and organized workshops for the IARF’s periodic World Congresses.

A talented studio artist who created art for most of her life, Orlanda exhibited photographs, paintings, drawings, and sculpture in many group shows and more than nine solo shows in New York, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts. With over twenty years of curatorial experience and additional interests in poetry and music, she served over twenty years on the Board of Directors of the American Festival of Microtonal Music and six years as president of the Society for the Arts, Religion and Contemporary Culture.

Orlanda Brugnola

Orlanda didn’t care much for religious labels, but she often numbered herself among “technicians of the sacred” [Jerome Rothenberg, 1968]. As she explained it, these “are beings who, for one reason or another, seem able to live more fully in the mystery.” Her close friend and ministerial colleague, Doris Hunter, described her as a “Renaissance spirit producing works of art, poetry and creative ideas designed to change the world. Orlanda’s interests were boundless and reflected not only an amazing intellectual ability but also an appreciation for the rich diversity of human culture. Above all, Orlanda was a faithful friend to everyone she met. Her presence spread grace to all who knew her.”

Orlanda Rice Brugnola was born on April 1, 1946 to Anthony Brugnola and Kathrine Schwellenbach. She earned a B.A. in psychology at UC Berkeley in 1966, and a M.Div. from Starr King School for the Ministry in 1979. She received certification in mediation, conflict resolution, and art therapy, and was registered as an art therapist by the American Expressive Therapy Association in 1989. In 1998, Orlanda received a Master of Fine Art in Painting from the City University of New York, and in 2014, a Doctorate in Ministry from New York Theological Seminary.

Ms. Brugnola was ordained to the ministry in 1979 by the First Unitarian (now UU) Church of Berkeley, California, where she served as a ministerial intern. Beginning as an assistant minister to the First Unitarian Congregational Society of Brooklyn, New York in 1981, she held a variety of ministerial positions at that congregation until being named Chaplain Emerita in 2009. She went on to serve interim ministries at the UU Fellowship of Poughkeepsie (2009-11), the UU Congregation of Hudson Valley (2011-12), and the UU Congregation of Queens (2013-14). In 2013 she was appointed an affiliate minister to the Community Church of New York and then church administrator in 2014, holding both positions until her death.

The Rev. Ms. Brugnola served over thirty years in various community ministries. She was employed at Columbia University as both UU Chaplain (1988-2011) and Chaplain for the Arts (1989-96), and at Union Theological Seminary as UU Chaplain (2009-11). For thirty-five years (1981-2016), she held an adjunct assistant professorship in the departments of philosophy and interdisciplinary studies at John Jay College of Criminal Justice (City University of New York), teaching philosophy and world religions. Through her John Jay connection, she also taught philosophy at the Rikers Island jail complex and at a New York residential drug treatment program. In addition, she spent several years offering courses in ministerial formation and conflict resolution to students at Skidmore College, Union Theological Seminary, and Meadville Lombard Theological School. As a member of Collegium (an association for liberal religious studies), she contributed frequent papers, mostly on the arts in Eastern religions.

Ms. Brugnola worked determinedly to dismantle racism and oppression around the world. From 1991 to 2016, she sat on the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) Metro New York District Anti-Racism and Diversity Committee (formally the Racial Concerns Committee), and from 1997 to 2016 she served as an active Board Member of the Clinton Association for a Renewed Environment, an organization seeking to create affordable housing in New York City. She served as co-vice president of Diverse, Revolutionary Unitarian Universalist Multicultural Ministries (DRUUMM) from 2013 to 2015. Committed to the betterment of the wider UU movement, Orlanda served on the UUA Commission on Appraisal from 2003 to 2009, and the UUA Board of Review from 2013 to 2016.

Orlanda received many honors for these diverse contributions to ministry, education, social justice, and the arts. She was elected a fellow of the Society for the Arts and Religion & Contemporary Culture in 1993, and she was elected as the Artist-in-Residence for the Henry Street Settlement in 1999-2000 and 2001-2002. From John Jay College she earned a Performance Award for Teaching Faculty in 1999, and recognition for twenty-five years of teaching at the college in 2006. She was recognized for outstanding service by the U.S. Chapter of the IARF in 2006 and received the Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc., Business Visionary Award in 2008.

Her dear friend, Janice Marie Johnson, recalled Orlanda as “… one whose deeds spoke of a generosity of spirit that knew no bounds. Orlanda has been a source not only of inspiration, but indeed of transformation. A woman of many gifts, she had an extraordinary understanding of the complexity of the human condition. She defined and demanded excellence. Her gentle yet sharp eyes and her patient yet unyielding ears were meant to bring confidence and surety. Orlanda hoped to shepherd us to our best selves.”

A memorial service was held on Sunday, April 17, 2016 at The Community Church (UU) of New York. Notes of condolence can be sent in care of the Rev. Bruce Southworth, The Community Church of New York Unitarian Universalist, 40 East 35th Street, New York 10016.

The Rev. Robert M. Doss

The Reverend Dr. Robert M. Doss, devoted parish minister, talented singer and artist, and one of the many who marched in Selma with Dr. King in 1965, died on February 12, 2016, aged 88.

Bob was widely known for his gentle and faithful personal presence with both parishioners and ministerial colleagues. One of his successors at the Wilmington church described Bob’s 31-year ministry there as “one long sermon” whose message was that “the legacy of our finite lives is a function of the connections we have to other people.”

Robert Mabry Doss was born to James and Sarah Doss on September 12, 1927 in Jacksonville, FL. After service in the United States Army, he earned a B.A. from the University of Richmond in 1949. He later studied at Colgate-Rochester Divinity School before completing his B.D. at Starr King School for the Ministry in 1959. In 1980 he was honored with a D.D. by Meadville- Lombard Theological School.

Mr. Doss was ordained to the ministry in 1959 by the Unitarian Church of Rockville, MD, and served there four years until a call to the First Unitarian Society of Wilmington, DE, in 1963, where his pastorate lasted for nearly 31 years. In 1994 the congregation named him Minister Emeritus.

The Reverend Dr. Doss gave long and varied service to the wider UU movement, to his ministerial colleagues, and to local communities. He was chair of the Ministerial Fellowship Committee and president of the UUMA, served on the boards of Beacon Press and the St. Lawrence Foundation, on the UUA Panel on Theological Education, and on the UUA RE Accreditation Committee. Beyond UU institutions, he was a member of the NAACP; board member of Planned Parenthood; and a board member of the ACLU.

Bob had many talents — singing, drawing designs and caricatures, and writing children’s stories to accompany his sermons. His love of nature as a “naturalistic humanist” led to camping summers in Maine where he hiked, canoed, and carved walking sticks.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Margaret W. Doss, a daughter; a son; and five grandchildren. Condolences may be sent to Peggy Doss at 112 Wynwood Drive, Wilmington, DE 19810-4428.

The Rev. Alan L. Egly

Alan Egly

The Reverend Alan Egly, parish minister, humanitarian activist, and philanthropic fund-raiser, died on 31 January 2016 at the age of 84.

Alan L. Egly was born 19 July 1931 to Jesse and Ida Egly. He earned a B.S. from Illinois State University in 1952, an M.Div. from Anderson College in 1956, and a graduate degree in Religious Education from Union Theological Seminary in 1967.

Mr. Egly was ordained to the Church of God in 1959 and served various parishes in Brooklyn before moving to All Souls Church of Brooklyn, NY in 1965. After entering ministerial fellowship with the UUA in 1972, he served several briefer ministries in New York before taking a call to the UU Church of the Quad Cities (Davenport, Iowa) in 1979. After eight years there, the Rev. Mr. Egly moved on to community ministry as Executive Director to the Doris and Victor Day Foundation, serving from 1987 to retirement in 2014, while holding a part-time pastorate with the Unitarian Fellowship of Burlington (Iowa) until 1995 when he was named Minister Emeritus.

Alan and his wife Pat expanded their family of four children with the addition of foster children. Together they worked with many neighborhood organizations toward a dream of maintaining safe and affordable neighborhoods, personally renovating homes on the block where they lived. Alan’s daughter, Lorrie, remembers her father as one who “spent his life in service.”

Alan is survived by his wife, Patricia, children, six children and six grandchildren, and one brother.

Memorial gifts to Final Exit or Compassion and Choices are encouraged. Condolences may be sent to Patricia Egly, 701 Iowa Street, Davenport, IA 52803.

The Rev. Jeanne Melis Mills

The Reverend Jeanne Mills, for whom parish ministry was a late calling after a rich and multi-faceted life as an educator, environmental activist, and archivist, died on 2 February 2016 at the age of 73.

Frances Jeanne Melis was born 18 October 1942 to Francis Kenneth Melis and Frances Inez Esson Melis. She earned a B.A. from Bucknell University in 1963 and an M.Ed. from Columbia University in 1965. She taught English in South America (1965-

1967) as a Peace Corps volunteer, earned an MBA from Simmons College in 1983, and an M.Div. from Harvard Divinity School in 1997. Jeanne was ordained in 1997 by the Second Congregational Society (UU) in Nantucket (Mass) and spent the next thirteen years serving interim ministries in Nashville (Tenn), Midland (Mich), Tulsa (Okla), Chicago, Houston, Huntington and Schenectady (New York), Eugene (Oregon), and Savannah (Georgia), retiring from the parish in 2010.

Her sister Darleen remembers Jeanne as “a woman of great energy and interests who could accomplish much.” Family and friends remember her as an inspiring, caring and free-spirited person. Fellow Peace Corps Volunteer, Stephen Sheppard remembers, “Jeanne was the best of us. Giving, caring, unselfish. Her good, positive, energy became part of us all from the moment she came into our lives so many years ago. We miss her already.”
Jeanne is survived by two brothers, two sisters, two daughters, a grandson, and several nieces and nephews. A memorial service was held at the United Church of Dorset, Vermont, 5 March 2016. Memorial donations are encouraged to the Natural Resources Defense Council or the Knox County Humane Society in Rockland, Maine.

The Rev. John A. Farmakis

The Rev. John Farmakis, parish minister and dedicated humanitarian, died on 24 January 2016 at the age of 92.

John A. Farmakis was born in Philadelphia of Greek and Scottish ancestry on 30 August 1923 to Alexander Farmakis and Henrietta (Cunningham) Farmakis. After earning a B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania, he enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1946, hoping to serve the mission of the United Nations. After his discharge, he enrolled in Harvard Divinity School, earning an S.T.B. in 1950.

Mr. Farmakis was ordained to the ministry in 1952 by All Souls Universalist Church of Oakland, Maine, while serving a pastorate there (1951-53). After a one-year ministry to First Parish Church of Saugus (Mass.), he served as a U.S. Navy chaplain (1954-56). Then followed his two longest parish ministries: to the UU Society of Stanford, Conn. (1956-70) and to the Unitarian Society of Northampton and Florence (1970-88). During his career the Rev. Mr. Farmakis was active in Universalist and UU Service Committees, Universalist and UU Historical Societies, and on the UUA’s Overseas and Interfaith Relations Board.

The Rev. Judy Buck-Glenn writes that John “was honest, honorable, kind, and deeply-read, with a keen mind and a passionate commitment to Enlightenment liberalism. He is deeply missed by a small circle of very devoted friends, who feel privileged to have known this quietly-rather-great man.” In lieu of flowers, donations are encouraged to The John A. Farmakis Memorial Fund, University of Pennsylvania, Associate Director of Gift Planning Services, 3535 Market Street, Suite 500, Philadelphia, PA 19104-3309. Notes of condolence may be sent to his nephew at John.Farmakis@gmail.com.