Author: Jaco ten Hove
June 20, 2023
The Rev. Dr. Carolyn Sheets Owen-Towle
The Rev. Dr. Carolyn Sheets Owen-Towle died on October 23, 2023, at the age of 88 (1935-2023).
Carolyn was born on July 27, 1935, in Upland CA to Millard O. Sheets and Mary B. Sheets. She grew up in Southern California and was the second of four children. As the daughter of a prominent California artist, she enjoyed the benefits of warm, nurturing family relationships and exposure to high moral and intellectual as well as artistic standards. She spent 15 years of her young adulthood volunteering in cultural, social, and educational organizations within the communities in which she lived.
Carolyn received her Bachelor of Arts in Art and Art History from Scripps College CA (1957), following which she worked as a library assistant, salesperson, interior designer, and research assistant for a business consultant. She married Charles Russell Chapman and embraced the roles of wife, mother, and community volunteer. She was active in Pasadena organizations such as the Junior League, Pacific Oaks Pre-School, and the Unitarian church.
After her first marriage ended, Carolyn felt a calling to the UU ministry. Her affiliation with the UU church strengthened her attributes and consolidated her beliefs. She found that she was involved daily with people not simply on committee levels but across the board in many aspects of lives: births, deaths, and all the in-between. As time went on, she shifted her volunteer energies from the larger community to the church community. This outlined a sense of direction she was seeking. She realized that she was able to utilize all aspects of her personality in the most creative and meaningful ways becoming a UU minister. She wanted to enter a church, build upon its foundations, foster spiritual, intellectual, and personal growth, and leave it stronger than when she arrived.
In 1973, Carolyn married Rev. Tom Owen-Towle. In 1974, she began her ministerial equivalency training through the UUA Independent Study Program, and in 1978, she graduated from the University of Iowa Graduate School of Religion. She received an Honorary Doctorate from Meadville Lombard Theological School in 1994.
Carolyn was ordained by the First UU Church of San Diego CA on December 3, 1978, where she served together with husband Rev. Tom Owen-Towle for 24 years (1978–2002). During her co-ministry, she worked knowledgeably and agilely with children, youth, and adults and was involved in broadening educational programs for all ages. She initiated the Jr. and Sr. High programs giving significant time to junior high youth, leading to an outstanding commitment program and revitalizing an LRY group. Both ministers worked to sponsor a welcoming congregation and modeled an environment of shared ministry. They created an accepting and nurturing community that fully connected the congregation to the UU movement. The church became one of the major association supporters financially and in lay participation in denominational affairs. She retired from her active ministry in 2002 and upon retirement, the First UU Church of San Diego honored her as their minister emerita.
Rev. Owen-Towle’s ministry strived to help people evolve. Her art was to evoke power in others with sensitivity and skill and to combine the capacity to nurture with the ability to lead. She was a trailblazing leader and an early example of women in ministry. She served the denomination as a founder and president of the UU Ministerial Sisterhood (1980–1982); as the first women president of the UUSC (1983–1985); and as vice-chair and board member of the Meadville Lombard Theological School (1987–1992). She was also the first woman president of the UUMA; a settlement consultant for the Department of Ministry and a candidate for President of the UUA (1991–1993). From 2002 to 2009, she served on the Ministerial Fellowship Committee.
In San Diego, Carolyn served on the board of Planned Parenthood, the Human Rights Advisory Committee, the United African American Ministers Action Council, and the San Diego Organizing Project. She also served on the board of the Mingei International Museum, the Ilan-Lael Foundation, and the Sam and Alfreda Maloof Foundation, reconnecting with her lifelong love for the arts. She was a recipient of multiple community awards, including the Dr. A. Brad Truax Award for her service to the HIV/AIDS and LGBTQ communities. At the end of her career, she was honored with a City Council Resolution recognizing her overall ministry and community contributions.
Carolyn is survived by her husband, Tom; her brother, Tony Sheets; her four children, seven grandchildren, one great-grandchild, their mates and partners; and extended family members.
A memorial service to celebrate Carolyn’s life will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, December 2, 2023, at the First UU Church of San Diego, 4190 Front Street, San Diego, CA:
<https://www.google.com/maps/place/4190+Front+St,+San+Diego,+CA+92103/@32.7536779,-117.1696739,760m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x80d954d64e3ca327:0x8d1b0f2486e73aa5!8m2!3d32.7536735!4d-117.1651892?hl=en>.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the charity of one’s own choosing or to the First UU Church of San Diego:
<https://www.firstuusandiego.org/donations.html>.
Notes of condolence can be written here
<https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/sandiegouniontribune/name/carolyn-owen-towle-obituary?id=53457847>.
The Rev. Susan K. Weickum
The Rev. Susan K. Weickum died on October 8, 2023, at the age of 75 (1948-2023).
Susan is survived by her husband Michael Rich; her children: Scott (Kelly) and grandsons Michael and Nicholas; Jessica Ribeiro (Rich) (Daniel) and granddaughter Avielle; and Mareike Dieplinger (Hoermann); as well as exchange daughter and her family. Susan was big sister to Patty, Diana, Janice, Sally, and their families.
A memorial service will be held at noon on November 18, 2023, at the UU Church of Indianapolis, 615 W. 43rd Street, Indianapolis IN.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to a charity of one’s choosing. UURMaPA will contribute to the UUMA Endowment Fund in honor of our colleague’s ministry. Notes of condolence can be written here.
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.
Anne Clarke
Anne Elizabeth Torrison Clarke, 92, of Sister Bay WI, passed away Sept. 28, 2023, at Good Samaritan Society—Scandia Village in Sister Bay.
She was born Nov. 25, 1930, in Chicago IL, the daughter of Osuld and Marie (Schulz) Torrison and graduated from New Trier High School. She attended Vassar College (NY) and George Mason University (VA), earning a B.A. In 1951, she married Robert Clarke.
Rev. Clarke was ordained in 1964 and Anne followed him to UU churches in Exeter NH; Arlington VA; Dallas TX; Mequon WI; and Cincinnati OH, where he was named Minister Emeritus. In 1992, Anne and Bob moved to Sister Bay, where they had spent summers for many years.
Anne was a member of PEO Wisconsin (Philanthropic Educational Organization) and was instrumental in spearheading the project to build the new Sister Bay/Liberty Grove Library building, overseeing the money-raising efforts to completion. In 1996, Anne and Bob, by then retired, helped found the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Door County in Sister Bay.
Anne will be missed by daughter, Betsy Clarke of Columbus OH; son, Jim Clarke of Ellison Bay WI; two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband in 2013; her parents; and her sister, Mary.
Anne’s life will be honored with a memorial service at Scandia Village in Sister Bay, tentatively planned for November 2023. She will be laid to rest in Little Sister Cemetery in Sister Bay WI.
The Rev. Joel D. Baehr
The Rev. Joel D. Baehr died on September 22, 2023, at the age of 82 (1941-2023).
Joel is survived by daughters: Becky Baehr and Amy Baehr; sister Beth Baehr Bullard and brother-in-law Truman Bullard; grandchildren: Sarah Baehr Schrading, Lilah Baehr Schrading, Karl Basile-Baehr, and Vera Basile-Baehr; and sons-in-law Roger Schrading and Joe Basile.
A celebration of Joel’s life will be held on Saturday, February 17, 2024 (2:00-5:00pm) at the First Parish of Arlington, 630 Massachusetts Avenue, Arlington, MA.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Doctors without Borders. Notes of condolences may be written here.
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, Jay Atkinson – jayatk40@gmail.com.
The Rev. Lewis H. Dunlap
The Rev. Lewis “Lew” H. Dunlap died on September 7, 2023, at the age of 97 (1926-2023).
Lew was born on April 19, 1926, in Warrensburg MO to William Preston Dunlap and Edith Grace Boyd Dunlap. He was the youngest of three children. In 1936, his family moved to Rolla MO where he graduated high school (1943). Lew was called into active duty in the US Army Air Corps in 1944 and was discharged in 1946. After being discharged, he enrolled at Missouri Valley College and received his Bachelor of Arts (1951) following which he went to McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago graduating with his Master of Divinity (1954). Lew then served as a United Presbyterian minister until he was assigned to the Air Force as a Presbyterian chaplain in 1960. He retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1977.
In 1968, Lew began a radical change in his theology. He began to consider humanism and discovered the First Universalist Church in Denver CO. There he felt at home philosophically. He became active in both the First Universalist Church and the American Humanist Association. At the First Universalist Church, he served as hymn leader at Sunday morning services, sat on the board, and was active on the Lay Ministry Committee.
He represented the congregation on the Colorado Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice Board. Thereafter, Lew wanted to extend his ministry to the congregation and to the greater community. He sought to stimulate, encourage, and provide avenues for the development of love, kindness, compassion, and justice through becoming a UU minister.
Rev. Dunlap was ordained by the First Universalist Church, Denver CO, on May 23, 1999. Following ordination, he served the Borderlands UU, Amado AZ (2000–2001) and the UU Congregation of Green Valley AZ (2000–2001). At Green Valley, he actively supported the Canvass Committee and successfully stimulated interest in developing an endowment fund within the congregation. From 2001 to 2002, he served the UU Fellowship at Burlington IA as their interim minister. In 2002, he accepted a call from the UU Church of Greeley CO where he would minister until 2003. Rev. Dunlap exemplified the kind of enthusiasm and commitment that made church life compelling. He ministered with dedication and commitment.
Rev. Dunlap was one of the organizers of a new UU congregation, Prairie UU Church, in the Parker CO area. He cared enough to start a new congregation to spread the news of UUlism to the southeastern suburbs. He also served as a regional Coordinator of the UU Service Committee (2005).
In the larger community, he provided his services as a board member of the Colorado Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice, as a founder and coordinator of the Rational Recovery Systems of Colorado, and as a founding and board member of the Colorado Council of Mediators and Mediation Organizations. Likewise, he served as a founder/leader of the Denver Chapter American Humanist Association.
Throughout his life, Lew loved travel, music, bridge, and community theater. He played the piano, guitar, and trumpet, and sang tenor in various local choirs. He also loved baseball and once again proved he had no intention of slowing down, attending the Colorado Rockies Fantasy camp for four years between the ages of 88 and 91! He used his age as his player number.
His son Paul shared: Lew’s “radical shift” in theology initially bordered on atheism fueled by the more anti-religionist elements in the AHA. However, he later repeatedly described the UUA as not anti-god or anti-religion, but open to all beliefs. And over the last few years of his life, his favorite TV viewing has been “The Chosen” a very Biblical and realistic multi-season series about Jesus and his disciples.
Lew is survived by his first wife, Katherine Dunlap; his children: Ruth Anne Hitchcock (Darrell), Paul Dunlap (Karen), and David Dunlap (Tracey); as well as his twelve grandchildren and nineteen great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his second wife, Phyllis Dolan, and is also survived by her four children: Kathryn Dolan, Connie Seguin, Albert Dolan, and Michael Dolan; and one grandson.
A memorial open house was held on Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023, at St. Andrews Village, 13801 E. Yale Ave, Aurora CO 80014.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Prairie UU Church <https://prairieuu.org/give>. Notes of condolence can be written here
<https://www.sbmortuary.com/obituary/Lewis-Dunlap#tributewall> or sent to Paul at pndunlap@comcast.net.
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>.
Joseph Wesley
Joe Wesley died on August 29. Joe was the Rev. Alice Blair Wesley’s husband, the father of Becky Bell-Wesley and Hope Wesley Harrison, and the grandfather of their four sons. Joe was an able and conscientious engineer, engineering manager, and environmentalist for the DuPont Company. He subsidized his wife’s ministry in the Unitarian Universalist Association for twenty years, plus another ten years of her writing and lectures.
Joe had a beautiful baritone voice. He sang in choirs and played guitar in many a church service. He repaired church buildings and built church furniture. He was much beloved in his and Alice’s Seattle retirement community for his ready smile, his sense of humor, the stories of his Kentucky upbringing, and the countless repairs he made in the woodshop for other residents. He was a prince.
A more complete obituary will be forthcoming after biographical research has been completed. If any readers wish to contribute information or reminiscences, we would welcome them. Please send them to (include only relevant person) UURMaPA’s partner obituary editor, Eleanor Richardson, grandmoot@aol.com.
Karen S. Muir
Karen Kristine Sandstrom Muir died August 17, 2023, at the age of 74 (1949-2023), in Ludington MI on a visit to family in Ludington MI with her husband, the Rev. Frederick Muir, minister emeritus of the UU Church of Annapolis.
She was born Jan. 31, 1949, the daughter of Maj. Donald Gustave Sandstrom, a career Army officer, and Kaethe Bonnekamp Sandstrom, in Staten Island NY. She lived in Germany for a brief period, then moved to Indianapolis where her father taught at Fort Benjamin Harrison. “When she entered kindergarten, she only spoke German,” the Rev. Muir said.
After graduating from high school, she attended Butler University, both in Indianapolis IN, on a debate scholarship, where in 1970 she earned her B.A. in history and social studies, then obtained an M.A. there.
She taught Social Studies for 40 years, in New York City, Sanford ME, then in Odenton MD, when she and Fred moved to Annapolis. He served as minister there for 34 years. She was active in Maryland Democratic politics. She was a fierce advocate of public education, world traveler, avid reader, movie lover, devoted Orioles baseball fan, and dessert enthusiast (most notably cookie dough).
“It was very important to her to have a safe teaching environment. She was very good working with middle school students. She looked at them as people and not as pains,” said colleague and friend Meg Kauder. To bring the outside world into her classroom, Ms. Muir embraced the World Wise Schools program, where students and teachers corresponded with Peace Corps volunteers in the Central African Republic.
Surviving are her husband Fred, a son Andrew Sandstorm Muir, daughter Kristina Muir, two sisters, Kathe Donna Sandstorm and Karalyn Sandstrom Young. A memorial service was held September 24, 2023, at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Annapolis.