Category: Obituary: W

Gary Leonard Wyke, spouse of the Reverend Elizabeth Greene, died 10 April 2021, in Boise Idaho. He was born on 8 July 1941, in Hanford, California, and spent his childhood there.

After high school, he headed east to attend the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, where his personal values of integrity, loyalty, and fairness were reinforced. However, he found the curriculum a poor match for his interests and strengths. Gary returned to California, fulfilling his military obligations as a Naval Reservist. 

In that period Gary received a B.A. in English from the University of California in Berkeley, then worked six years as a book buyer at Macy’s Department store in San Francisco. Concluding that retail was not the path for him, he returned to Cal and got Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Forestry. He retired from work with the Bureau of Land Management in Boise after over 30 years of service.

He and Janet Evans were married in 1964. Sons Andrew and Evan opened for Gary a deep and abiding well of love for family. Indeed love for family was one of his defining characteristics. His sons grew up, married, and had children of their own, who were absolutely the apples of their “Bumpa’s” eye.

Even with his deep commitment and joy in family, he also turned outward in a commitment to making the world better. He served as President of his church, the Boise Unitarian Universalist Fellowship. He was a much-respected tutor at Learning Lab. He coordinated the Farmers’ Market table, where people with EMT cards could receive tokens for fresh vegetables. His quiet, low-key sense of humor delighted all who knew and loved him.

In 2013, Jan and Gary’s marriage dissolved, amiably and with a continuing commitment to their kids and grandkids. He found that his 30+ year friendship with Elizabeth Greene had deepened into an excellent foundation for a life together, and they made the happy decision to marry. Gary and Elizabeth traveled many places, laughed a lot, read poetry to each other, spent fun times with family, and thanked their Higher Powers for the late-life gift of each other.

Gary is survived by his wife, Elizabeth; son Andy, wife Erin and daughter Dylan; son Evan, wife Nicole and sons Sullivan, Benson and Oliver; sister Joyce McKern; nieces and nephews.

The Rev. William “Bill” Welch died on November 15, 2020 at the age of 74.

He is survived by his sister Janet Beasley, his nephew Tarry Beasley IV, and his nieces Nina Wildes and Janet Lee McDowell. He was preceded in death by his sister Gwen McNeese and his nephew David (Skip­) McNeese.

A celebration of Bill’s life is being planned (sometime after the first of the year).

In lieu of flowers donations in his memory may be made to the Thistle Farms or you may support Thistle Farms by shopping at their online store of products made by survivor artisans. UURMaPA will contribute $50 to the UUMA Endowment Fund in honor of our colleague’s ministry.

Notes of condolences may be sent to Nina Wildes at njwildes@gmail.com.

A more complete obituary will be forthcoming after biographical research has been completed.

The Rev. Judy Welles died on September 28, 2020 at the age of 77.

Judy was a beloved spouse, mother, and grandmother whose love of life and embrace of joy were clear to all who knew her. She is survived by her spouse, the Rev. Duane Fickeisen; by daughters Anne Gustafson (Marcel/Ford) and Katy Wells (Frank/Owen and Aengus);by stepchildren Michelle Vo (Viking and Norway), Robert Fickeisen (Amanda/Odin and Opal), and Sarah Lowry (Brian/Utah and Juniper). By nine beloved grandchildren (named above), and by brothers Jack Clymer (Di) and Nat Clymer, by four nieces and sisters-in-law Dana Fickeisen (Karen Frank) and Janice Millward. Also grieving her death is her former husband, Andrew Gustafson. She was predeceased by her parents, Russell and Eileen ‘Teeny’ Clymer.

A live-streamed memorial service will be held at First Unitarian Portland (OR) at 2:00 p.m. on October 10. A slide show will begin at 1:50.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Judy Wells Memorial Endowment, Unitarian Universalists of the Cumberland Valley (PO Box 207, Boiling Springs, PA 17007, ) or to Our Children’s Trust (P.O. Box 5181, Eugene, OR 97405). UURMaPA will contribute $50 to the UUMA Endowment Fund in honor of our colleague’s ministry.

Notes of condolences may be sent to Duane Fickeisen, 2360 SE 58th Ave., Portland, OR, 97215.

A more complete obituary will be forthcoming after biographical research has been completed.

Robert E Wilber, spouse of Reverend Linda Whittenberg, died on 12 July 2020, just days after his 87^th birthday. Bob was born in Texas but spent most of his youth in Indiana. Having few other children in the area, he spent a lot of time exploring by himself and learned to love the natural world. He became an avid outdoorsman.

Bob graduated from Purdue University with a degree in Forestry, then was called into the Army. He served in Germany, where he met Inge “Chris” Goerl. In 1959 she emigrated to the U.S. and they were married. Bob went to work for the Bureau of Land Management, and they had two sons as the agency stationed him in Oregon, then Washington DC, and eventually in Wyoming. When the marriage ended in the 70’s, the boys remained with him, and learned to love the outdoors, too.

After his youngest son had finished high school, Bob moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico, then retired from his government career. He continued to be involved in environmental work, and to explore natural areas. He enjoyed country dancing at local music venues, where he met Linda. In 1985 she received her theology degree, was ordained, and they married.

When she was called to San Luis Obispo, and later to Spokane, Bob took on the minister’s spouse role. Besides picking up much of the domestic work, he read and critiqued her sermons and offered advice. As her active ministry ended, they returned to Santa Fe, where they soon acquired some acreage and began caring for horses and mules and dogs. They continued to explore trails in the mountains and wilderness, side by side.

Bob was a reader, keeping up with the daily news, and the New Yorker, but also studying poetry. He kept an open mind and would change it if warranted.

He is survived by Linda, his sons Scott and Tom, and their families

Memorial gifts can be directed to the Natural Resources Defense Council.

The Rev. Richard M. Woodman died on May 30, 2020, at the age of 90.

Richard is survived by his son Douglas L. Woodman (Kathy); his daughters:
Linda Montag (Avram), and Marilyn Woodman (Raphael Hartzog); his step
daughter Janet Rosado (Darrell Wheeler), and step son Jeff Rosado
(Caramia); his ten grandchildren, and five great granddaughters; his
sisters: Marjorie Miller and Jaon Bishop; as well as his several cousins,
nephews and great nieces. He was predeceased by his wife Pauline Rosado
Woodman, and by the mother of his children, Margaret Blair Woodman.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to VNA/hospice of Cooley
Dickinson Hospital, PO Box 329, Northampton, MA 01061-0329.

UURMaPA will contribute $50 to the UUMA Endowment Fund in honor of our colleague’s ministry.

A private gathering will be held later.

Notes of condolences may be sent to Marilyn Woodman at mjwoodman@comcast.net.

A more complete obituary will follow.

The Rev. Glenda C. Walker died on February 12, 2020, at the age of 86.

She is survived by her daughter Holly Jewell (Rudi Wehmschulte) of Palm Bay, FL; niece Kathleen (Robert) Brown of Murray, UT; and nephew Gregory (Gina) Limon of Randolph. NJ.

A memorial service was held on March 7, 2020.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First Unitarian Universalist Church, 504 Grant Street, Wausau, WI, in Glenda’s name.

A more complete obituary will follow.

The Rev. James “Jim” Wickman died on November 29, 2019, at the age of 88.

Jim is survived by his wife of 42 years, Janet L. Tyler; his children Shelley Weisberg, Jeff Wickman, and Cristy Wickman; his stepchildren Richard Ingham and Lori Bartosh; as well as his seven grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, donations are encouraged for the Shoreline Unitarian Universalist Church (14724 1^st Ave NE, Shoreline, WA 98155).  UURMaPA will contribute $50 to the UUMA Endowment Fund in honor of our colleague’s ministry.

In remembrance of Jim, his family will be presenting and participating in “My Love Affair with the Mountains” a program of Jim’s photography, music and poetry (originally created by Jim for the initial ‘Earth Day’ celebrations in Seattle, WA).  The memorial program will likely be presented in the Seattle area.

Notes of condolence may be sent to Janet Tyler at 4009 Vista Place, Pasco, WA 99301.

A more complete obituary will be forthcoming after biographical research has been completed.

The Rev. Dr. Christine “Chris” M. Wetzel died on October 14, 2019, at the age of 91.

Chris is survived by her two sons Peter Wetzel, Dr. Gayle D. Wetzel and his wife Esther Spirgi Wetzel; her sister Pearl McKenney Silvernale; and her three grandchildren Benjamin Wetzel, Sabine Wetzel and Niels Wetzel.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her name may be made to the charity of one’s own choosing.  UURMaPA will contribute $50 to the UUMA Endowment Fund in honor of our colleague’s ministry.

A memorial service is being planned.

Notes of condolence may be sent to the Wetzel family at 7109 Ruane St, San Diego, CA 92119 or to Peter Wetzel.

A more complete obituary will be forthcoming after biographical research has been completed.

The Rev. Judith A. Walker-Riggs died on July 8, 2019 at the age of 79.

Judith is survived by her sons Iain Urquhart and James Urquhart; and her stepson Steven Riggs.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of one’s own choosing. UURMaPA will contribute $50 to the UUMA Endowment Fund in honor of our colleague’s ministry.

A celebration of Judith’s life took place at 10 am on Saturday, July 13, 2019 at the Northwest Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 1025 Mt. Vernon Highway NW, Sandy Springs, GA 30327.

Notes of condolence may be sent to James Urquhart at 3208 Fairview Avenue, Alameda, CA 94501.

A more complete obituary will be forthcoming after biographical research has been completed.

The Reverend Peter Webster, who maintained both UU and Roman Catholic affiliation after 10 years of UU parish service, died on 17 October 2018, aged 67, after a long illness.

On 14 October 1979 Peter participated in the first National March for Lesbian and Gay Rights and would eventually witness the deaths of over forty friends from AIDS. He was a volunteer at Massachusetts General Hospital and sang with the Boston Gay Men’s Chorus. Peter enjoyed discussing theology, spending time with family, and he was a “consummate knitter.”

Peter Wood Stein was born on 5 July 1951 in Sarnia, Ontario (Canada), to Dorothea (Wood) and Curvin H. Stein. After his father’s death in 1959 and his mother’s marriage in 1961 to Edward Webster, who adopted him, Peter took Webster as his own surname. The family settled in Lexington, MA, where Peter was active in high school drama and played starring roles in several productions. He went on to earn a B.A. in Anthropology from Lawrence University (Appleton, WI) in 1973 and an M.Div. from Harvard Divinity School in 1981.

Mr. Webster was ordained on 1 November 1981 by the First Congregational Society, Unitarian (now First Church, UU) in Jamaica Plain, MA, while briefly serving there. In 1983 he was resettled at the First Unitarian Congregational Society, Wilton Center, NH (1983–86), followed by an interim ministry at the First Unitarian Parish in Woburn, MA (1987–1988) and an extension ministry at the UU Fellowship in Wilmington, NC (1989–1991).

Thereafter, while retaining his membership in the UUMA, Mr. Webster joined the Saint Cecelia Parish Community in Boston’s Back Bay, where he was active in AA. He was a founding member of Dignity/Boston’s weekly dinner- discussion Men’s Spirituality Group that was started in 1993.

At his death, Peter was survived by his mother Dorothea, brothers John, Edward, and Mark, sisters Anne Wolfe and Susan MacPhee, several nieces and nephews, and his beloved cat, Kashi.