Category: Obituary: R

The Reverend Bob Reed—parish and pastoral minister, civil rights activist, lover of music and theater, and artisan of bread baking—died on 15 March 2017 at the age of 88.

George Robert Reed was born on 15 August 1928 to Beulah May Reed and William Harold Reed. In 1950 he received a B.A. in History from Lafayette College (Easton PA) and began a job with the federal government in Washington D.C. While there he discovered the Unitarian (now UU) Church of Arlington VA, eventually felt called to ministry, and in 1959 earned a B.D. from Meadville Lombard Theological School. While a student, he served part time as Director of RE to the First Universalist Church of Chicago (now All Souls Free Religious Fellowship).

Mr. Reed was ordained by his Arlington UU church on 27 September 1959 and stayed for another year. He then moved on to 35 years in parish ministry with service to the Unitarian (now UU) Church of Bloomington IL (1960-68), the First Unitarian Church of Louisville KY (1968-85), and finally pastoral ministry at what is now the UU Congregation at Shelter Rock NY (1985-94), after which time the Louisville congregation named him Minister Emeritus.

Outside the parish, the Rev’d Mr. Reed served multiple local and national roles in the UUMA. With his wife Jeanne he also led UUA Couples Enrichment weekend workshops for the Ohio Valley District (1978-81).

Bob Reed is survived by four sons Robert, Douglas, Jeffrey, and David, seven grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. A memorial service was scheduled for Saturday,  13 May 2017 at Louisville’s First Unitarian Church.

Ann H. Rutledge, 76, wife of the Rev. Fred A. Rutledge, died September 1, 2008, from colon cancer. A native of Texas, she earned a BA in English at the University of Texas and a masters degree in social psychology from Johns Hopkins University, where she worked as a research assistant. The Rutledges served congregations in Petersham and Danvers, MA, Minneapolis and St. Paul, MN and Baltimore, MD. Ann worked as a church secretary and in RE at Unity Church in St. Paul; she sang in the choir at the Baltimore church. She was a devoted member of the Thomas Wolfe Society, which promotes a scholarly approach to the author’s work. She is survived by her husband of 57 years and their three daughters: Cyndi, Anita and Nina. She was predeceased by their son Rick, Jr.

Jeannette D’Ewart Royce, 83, widow of the Rev. Burchard A. Royce, died Sept. 21, 2003 in a nursing home in Amherst, MA. She was a native of Cleveland who held a bachelor’s degree in biology from the American International College of Springfield, MA. She worked as a speech therapist. The Royces served congregations in Foxboro, MA and New Haven, CT. She is survived by her son, Jonathan Royce.

The Rev. Donald W. Rowley, 83, died March 27, 2006 at his home in the Hunt Community of Nashua, NH. He served at the First Parish Church, United, in Westford, MA, and the Unitarian Universalist Church of Nashua, NH, from 1958 until his retirement in 1987. In recognition of his 29 years, he was named minister emeritus of the Nashua church in 1994. He was a tireless advocate for social justice in greater Nashua, especially in hospice and mental health care. He was predeceased by his wife, Norma, and is survived by two sons, Dana and Philip. He requested a private interment.

Catharine Ross

Catharine Clements Ross, 79, wife of the Rev. Robert Jordan Ross, died July 23, 2015 in Sugar Land, TX. A native of Wrens, GA, she was born to Alma and John Clements. She met Robert at a dance and had to be wooed and won to the idea of marriage, which she planned to avoid, and then to this Yankee, from New York City, studying electronics at Camp Gordon. He planned to enter the Methodist ministry. Despite her family’s reservations, she joined him in Fort Huachuca, AZ, to be married at Trinity Methodist Church in Warren, AZ.

He completed his tour of duty and they moved to New York City. Robert began his theological studies at Drew University. Their first son was born in 1956. Catharine began to take college courses (free to student wives) at Brothers College of the University.

The family moved into the Fisherman’s Methodist Church parsonage in Brooklyn, where Robert was a student pastor. She studied at Brooklyn College, learned to play tennis, and worked at the Dime Savings Bank. After several successful years in Brooklyn they served Methodist churches in Marietta and Smyrna, GA. In the tumult of the civil rights movement, they served UU churches. After working with student groups in Georgia and South Carolina, they moved to Kennebunk, ME, then to Topsfield, MA where Robert worked in Boston.

Their second son was born in 1961. Catharine continued to study at the University of Maine, Orange Coast College and Santa Ana College, pursing her work as a bank manager and a loan officer. Then her avocational focus turned to archeology and anthropology. As her interest grew, she became an officer of the Pacific Coast Archeological Society.  In England, during Robert’s sabbatical, she ran the archeological laboratory at Winchester, working on the old Roman walls of the city.  After two years in El Paso, they moved to Newport Beach, CA, living there for 41 years, while Robert served congregations in Costa Mesa, Newport Beach and Mission Viejo. In California, she participated in many digs of pre-Columbian settlements.  She studied management with Bank of America and worked as a branch manager, returning to work as a loan officer to be nearer home.

She was a gracious hostess and spirited dinner companion, and a great dancer. She delighted in her family. Her gardens were her pride and joy. She was a kind friend to many, a source of wisdom to her husband.

Catharine was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2008. The disease gradually took away most of the things she enjoyed.  She continued to enjoy reading (C.S. Lewis, English history, archeology, mysteries) up to the last year. Her decreasing capacities dogged her but her love remained strong and clear.  She painstakingly noted birthdays and anniversaries to send greeting cards. Her spirit shone through until the end.  A service was held July 25 at Providence Presbyterian Church in Sugar Land, TX. Her remains were buried at Ways Baptist Church, in Stellaville, GA. In addition to her husband of 59 years, she is survived her two sons, Jordan Clement Ross and Derek Allen Ross and their families, which include three grandchildren and three great granddaughters; and by three brothers and two sisters. She was predeceased by her parents and by another brother.

Notes of remembrance may go to Robert Jordan Ross, 5910 Gentlewood Lane, Sugar Land, TX 77479.

Nancy Roemheld

The Rev. Nancy C. Roemheld, 80, died on January 4, 2013. Rev. Roemheld was born in Holyoke, MA on February 23, 1932 to Ruth and Frederick Stevens. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from Alverno College in 1982. She went on to attain a Master of Divinity from Meadville Lombard Theological School and a Master of Arts in Religious Studies from The University of Chicago Divinity School, both in 1986.

Rev. Roemheld was ordained on June 1, 1986 at the Unitarian Church West in Brookfield, WI. She was first called to serve the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Athens, GA from 1986-1994. She then embarked on a remarkable 12-year career as an interim minister where she served the Unitarian Universalist Church of Greensboro in Jamestown, NC from 1995-1996; the Unitarian Universalist Church of Studio City, CA from 1997-1999; the Unitarian Universalist Church of Buffalo, NY from 1999-2000; the Unitarian Universalist Church of Tucson, AZ from 2000-2001; the Bradford Community Church UU in Kenosha, WI from 2001-2002; the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Wilmington, NC from 2002-2003; the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Erie, PA from 2003-2005; the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Los Gatos, CA from 2005-2006; and the First Unitarian Church of Omaha, NE from 2006 until her retirement in 2007. She also served as a chaplain at the Universal Unitarian Church of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada from 1996-1997.

Committed to her faith, Rev. Roemheld was actively involved on all sides of the pulpit. She was a lay leader before becoming a minister. While serving the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Athens, she was especially proud of the work she did to help guide the church through the construction of brand new facilities. She also served on the board of the UUA’s Central Midwest District.

In a sermon she delivered one Easter Sunday called “Waking Up/Eros and Pathos,” Rev. Roemheld spoke wisely of life’s certain and universal struggles:

“From the depths of the collective human consciousness, the cosmic drama of the resurrection story emerged – to remind us that the heroic, fulfilled and therefore deathless life is achieved by surmounting some crucifixion, by living through some dark night of the soul; to remind us that the creative spirit of love lives in you and me…waiting to be expressed and experienced.”

Rev. Roemheld is survived by daughter, Joanne R. Jeanguenat; daughter, Kathryn C. Zunac and husband, Mick; son, Steven F. Roemheld and wife, Margaret; daughter, MaryBeth Roemheld and partner, Laurie Gift; grandchildren, Kristen and Jonathan; and great-granddaughter, Nora. She was predeceased by her former husband and friend, Fred Roemheld.

A memorial service was held on Saturday, February 9, 2013 at 3:30 p.m. at the First Unitarian Society of Milwaukee, 1342 N. Astor St., Milwaukee, WI 53202.

Notes of condolence may be sent to Joanne R. Jeanguenat at 2702 Mason St., Madison, WI 53705.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Happy Endings No-Kill Animal Shelter, 5349 West Forest Home Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53220; or to the Friends of the Unitarian Universalist Association at P.O. Box #55019, Boston, MA 02205.

Jean Bondurant Rodes, 88, widow of the Rev. Richard Rodes, died peacefully at home on, November 12, 2006 in Columbia, MD. She played the piano and taught music for 30 years. The Rodeses founded the United Church of Christ in Columbia. They later established a Unitarian church and he was minister at large in the DC area. They also made nearly a dozen Peace Odyssey tours to the Soviet Union. Jean dedicated her life to the things in which she believed: music, faith and social justice. They were both well into their 80s, had celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary in 2005, and still enjoyed making music together and reminiscing about their travels. They had lived in Columbia, MD, since 1970 and leave behind three adult children.

Frank Robertson

The Rev. Dr. Frank E. Robertson, 76, died Feb. 6, 2008 in Plymouth, MA. Certified in Religious Education, he studied world religions, specializing in East Indian studies. He studied and traveled in India in and Japan, then participated in the creation of a World Religions curriculum. He served congregations in Barneveld and Shelter Rock, NY, and Paramus, NJ. He served as MRE in Washington, DC, Santa Barbara, CA, and Evanston, IL, where he was named emeritus. Frank was a founding member of Interweave, which addressed LGBT concerns. Through their efforts, General Assembly passed resolutions concerning LGBT rights and the UUA Office was established. Frank was awarded an honorary D.Div. from Meadville Lombard. He received the Angus MacLean Award for religious education. He served on the Boards of the UUA and LREDA, St. Lawrence Foundation and IARF. He founded and chaired the UU Religious Education History Group. He was an Elder of the Mass. Society of Mayflower Descendants. He is survived by his partner of 36 years, Rick McDonald; two daughters, Lydia Robertson of Brooklyn, NY and Denene Ray of Charlotte, NC, and three granddaughters. His son, Joel, died in 1993. A memorial service took place April 19.

The Rev. Dr. William Joseph Robbins, 93, died April 8, 2007, in Owls Head, ME. He served as an US Army chaplain during World War II in the South Pacific, then used his GI Bill of Rights to obtain a Ph.D. from Brown University. A parishioner in Rockland wrote: “Educated to the Baptist ministry, he found Universalism in the era before confederation with Unitarianism, and he helped First Universalist over the hump of the post-war depression in Rockland. He was our Minister Emeritus, having served our congregation twice, before and after its move from Church of the Emanuel, and he outlived three wives, the first of whom was Reed McKenney’s mother Nadine. Bill was a devoted stepfather, and Reed and his wife Debbie repaid the debt of care beyond all measure. When Bill was left a widower again, seven years ago, in his late 80’s, Reed and Debbie drove up with a truck and moved him into their home for the rest of his days. Our church owes Reed, Debbie and the girls a great debt. They are a wonderful example of the values we cherish.”