The Rev. Andrew Rosenberger

Andrew Rosenberger

The Rev. Andrew Rosenberger, parish minister, apple farmer and conservationist, died at age 94 in Concord, New Hampshire, on May 31, 2013.

In addition to a thirty-five year career in parish ministry, Mr. Rosenberger spent a life- time actively involved in various civic causes. For over fifty years, he chaired the Board of Trustees of the Protestant Guild for the Blind, during which time the Guild greatly expanded its reach, serving children at the Perkins School for the Blind as well as other visually handicapped and blind people. He was also president of the Wellesley (Mass.) School Board; a founding member of the Unitarian Christian Fellowship in Groton (Mass.), and president of the Groton Council of Churches.

An early advocate of healthy living, Andrew Rosenberger lectured widely on health and nutrition and published Eat Your Way to Better Health (Bobbs-Merrill, 1961), a healthy food and lifestyle manual, considered in some circles to have been twenty years ahead of its time. This interest in health led him, in retirement, to purchase Hillbrook Orchards, an eighty acre apple orchard in Groton. Andrew, with his wife, thus fulfilled a long-held desire to work the land, growing apples and peaches, pumpkins and strawberries, living as a true steward of the land and an ardent conservationist. Hillbrook Orchards became for many years a popular pick-your-own destination for apple lovers from all over Massachusetts, and the Rev. Mr. Rosenberger would conduct sunrise worship services among the apple blossoms atop the orchard’s highest hill.

Reflecting on a life of gratitude, Andrew Rosenberger memorably wrote:

“If I were to make a short list of my gratitude to others at this time, it would include: my mother and father whose faith, hope, love and benevolent spirit inspired me to enter the ministry; Harvard College and Har- vard Divinity School which helped me to prepare for that sacred calling; my marriage to Willamena Parks whom I had courted for three years at Radcliffe before our wedding at Christ Church in Cambridge a week after graduation; and the intimate contacts with men and women and children in the churches I served in nearly every condition and circumstance, sharing their births and deaths, hopes and fears, joys and sorrows, successes and disappointments, as I tried in some small measure to help make their lives a little better and more meaningful… The longer I live, the more important it seems to me for all of us to be engaged in some form of human service. To find real satisfaction and true peace of mind, we have to recognize at least a few of the endless opportunities to fulfill our obligation to life by tangibly reaching out to the physically and mentally challenged — the often forgotten people who need our help so badly, more than ever, because of the systematic reduction in public funding for their care and support. When Billie and I look at our fifty-five years of happily married life together with our four children and their spouses, our ten grandchildren, and our great grandchild, all of whom have filled our lives with abiding joy, we enter our golden years together with heartfelt thanks for all our blessings and with great expectations for the days ahead.”

Andrew George Rosenberger was born in Oak Park, Illinois, on August 21, 1918, son of Emily Williams and Andrew Fretz Rosenberger. He earned a B.A. from Harvard College in 1941 and an S.T.B. from Harvard Divin- ity School in 1944, was ordained by the First Congregational Unitarian Church of Northborough (now First Parish UU) on June 25, 1944, and remained there as minister until 1950. Following a number of interim ministries over the next decade, he accepted a call to the First Parish Church of Groton in 1963, serving there until his retirement in 1979. He was doubly honored with the title of Minister Emeritus by his churches in both Northborough and Groton.

Andrew Rosenberger is survived by a daughter, Wilhelmina Gustavson; three sons, Eric, Karl, and Leif Rosen- berger; ten grandchildren; and five great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Willamena (“Billie”) Parks Rosenberger.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First Parish Church, 1 Powder House Road, Groton, Massachusetts 01450, and notes of condolence may be sent to Eric Rosenberger at 29 Auburn St, Concord, New Hampshire 03301.

The Rev. Nancy C. Roemheld

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

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.

The Rev. Dr. Frank E. Robertson

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

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.”

Beatrice Erdine Robbins

Bea Robbins

Beatrice Erdine Robbins, 102, widow of the Rev. Douglas Robbins, died March 28, 2012 in Augusta, ME. She was a graduate of Gorham Teacher’s College and earned a BA in education through the University of Maine at Orono. Bea was a contributing member of the Winthrop Street Universalist Church of Augusta, which she and her husband served for 30 years. She was active in the Julia Robinson Murray Alliance and Winchester Groups at the church. She was a past president of the Augusta College Club, Kennebec Valley Church Women’s Association and the Universalist Women of Maine. She taught for 29 years in New Gloucester, Wells, Saco and Augusta. She was a mother, a pianist and a published poet. This year she was honored in a ceremony marking the City of Hanowell’s 250th anniversary by receiving the gold-headed Boston Post Cane as the city’s oldest resident. Bea’s vintage recipes will be part of the UU Community Church’s next cookbook, due out in August. Bea is survived by her daughter, Carol Robbins, four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

The Rev. Charles “Corry” Richardson, Jr.

Charles Richardson

The Rev. Charles “Corry” Richardson, Jr. died peacefully at age 97 on April 5, 2013, at Summerhill Assisted Living in Peterborough, New Hampshire.

Mr. Richardson loved the theater and performed for many years in community play productions. He was also an avid sports fan, particularly enthusiastic about Harvard football and the Boston Red Sox. With an active and inquiring intellect, he de- lighted in reading, following the, news, debating political and theological subjects, as well as playing bridge. He was active in several organizations including local chapters of the Lions Club and Freemasons. He spent many enjoyable years with his family vacationing at a second home in Kennebunk Beach, Maine.

Charles O. Richardson was born in Weston, Mass., on Aug. 26, 1915, the son of Charles O. and Laura Woodworth Richardson. He was graduated from Harvard University in 1937. After college he worked several years for the Boston Herald Traveler newspaper, leaving to join the Navy during World War II. Returning, he earned a graduate degree from Harvard Divinity School in 1949 and then served as a Unitarian minister in sev- eral churches in Massachusetts and New Hampshire until retirement in 1975. Afterwards he continued to serve as a fill-in minister and to perform family services into his 80s. The Rev. Mr. Richardson was named Minister Emeritus at the First Unitarian Congregational Society of Wilton Center, New Hampshire.

Charles Richardson was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Elizabeth H. Richardson. He is survived by his son Charles O. Richardson III of East Montpelier, Vermont; daughters Penelope Richardson Tarrant of East Falmouth, Mass., and Elizabeth Richardson Paré of Wiscasset, Maine; and four grandchildren, Joshua C. Tar- rant, Callan E. Richardson, Alexander G. Paré, and Carter C. Richardson. He is also survived by three sisters: Mabel C. Richardson, Lucy Rand, and Laura R. Payson.

There was a memorial service on Saturday, June 1, 2013 at the First Unitarian Congregational Society of Wilton Center in Wilton, NH.

Notes of condolence may be sent to Charles O. Richardson, III at 305 Guyette Rd., East Montpelier, VT 05651.

The Rev. Steven C. Reinhartsen

The Rev. Steven C. Reinhartsen died, unexpectedly, at home on September 14, 2012. He was 61 years old. Rev. Reinhartsen was born in Amityville, NY on June 7, 1951. He attained his Bachelor of Science degree from Valparaiso University in 1973. In 1981, he went on to earn a Master of Education from the University of North Carolina, Greensboro. Finally, in 1997, he earned a Master of Divinity from Duke University.

Rev. Reinhartsen was ordained on January 12, 2003 at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Greensboro, NC. A community minister, he spent over two decades as a career counselor to students at Alamance Community College. Recruited by a small group of Unitarian Universalist residents to help form the UU Fellowship of Twin Lakes in January 2000, he also provided spiritual leadership and preaching to the Unitarian Universalist group at Twin Lakes Retirement Center in Elon, NC.

Rev. Reinhartsen’s life experiences were vast, including years of travel and adventure. During and after college, he hitchhiked across the U.S. twice; studied for a semester in Germany; and spend two years teaching in Australia. He and his wife, Mary travelled extensively throughout their years together. They visited nearly every major national park, and also travelled to places such as Paris, London, Santa Fe, Costa Rica, Niagara Falls, Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver. Rev. Reinhartsen enjoyed jogging, hiking, golfing, landscaping, fantasy baseball, and a good bottle of red wine. Described as a “quiet, wise, kind man,” he made those that knew him “feel at ease from the beginning” with his “calm nature.” A friend noted, “Steve was such a thoughtful person and so many people will always remember him for that.”

Rev. Reinhartsen is survived by his wife, Mary Davis; a son, Karl Reinhartsen; a brother, Paul Reinhartsen; a brother, Lars and his wife Gretchen Reinhartsen; as well as nieces Rois, Maja, and Zoe.

A memorial service was held on Tuesday, September 18, 2012 at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Greensboro in Jamestown, NC.

As many of his friends, colleagues and family knew, Rev. Reinhartsen was passionate about the work-study program at Alamance Community College and how beneficial it was for students to hone their skills before entering the workforce. In honor of this legacy of passionate advocacy for students, the College has created the Steven Reinhartsen Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship will benefit work-study students at ACC and help with tuition, books and emergency expenses. Donations for the Steven Reinhartsen Memorial Scholarship may be sent (with “Reinhartsen Scholarship” in the memo line) to ACC Foundation, P.O. Box 8000, Graham, NC 27253.

Donations may also be made to the Unitarian Universalist Church of Greensboro, 5603 Hilltop Road, Jamestown, NC 27282

Notes of condolence may be sent to Mary Davis at 120 Forestview Dr., Elon, NC 27244.

Wallace Reid

Wallace Reid, 81, widower of the late Rev. Lee Reid, died suddenly April 17, 2008. At the time of his death he was serving as the UURMaPA Caring Network Contact for the NY Metro/NJ Caring Region. He served in the US Navy Medical Corps in World War II, and was a research chemist for Union Carbide for 30 years. He then served as a hospital addictions counselor. With his late wife, he was a co-founder of the intentionally diverse UU Congregation of the Palisades in Englewood, NJ. Eight years after they helped to found the church, Lee was killed in a tragic accident. After her death Wally remained on as an integral part of the congregation. He is survived by their three daughters Martha, Kate and Sarah Reid.

Annette Helen Youngs Redman

Annette Helen Youngs Redman, 96, widow of the Rev. Edward Redman, died Sept. 17, 2012. She took an active role in the churches her husband served. She was a leader at the Lake Geneva Summer Assembly in Williams Bay, WI, for 50 years. And she was also an accomplished needlewoman and knitter.