The Rev. Harry H. Hoehler died on December 3, 2004, at the age of 95 (1928-2024).
Harry was born on December 5, 1928, in Philadelphia PA, to Harry G. Hoehler and Dorothy Heyden Hoehler. He pursued his education at Haverford College PA, graduating in 1951 with a Bachelor of Arts, following which he earned a Master of Divinity degree from Harvard Divinity School in 1954. From 1955–1958, Harry worked as an Assistant Dean of Freshmen at Harvard University MA. During this time, he met Judith Anderson, who was working in Cambridge and would later attend Harvard Divinity School herself. The couple married in 1956. In 1984, Harry was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from Meadville Lombard Theological School.
The Rev. Dr. Hoehler was ordained on June 6, 1954, by the First Parish in Cambridge MA. Following his ordination, he began his career in the UU ministry, first serving as an assistant minister at the First Parish in Milton MA (1955–1958) and then as a minister at the First Parish in Beverly MA (1958–1964). Thereafter, in 1964, he accepted a call from the First Parish Church in Weston MA.
After Judith was ordained in 1975, the two forged one of the first co-ministries in the country, jointly serving the Weston church until their retirement in 1995. During their ministry, significant changes took place in the worship life of the church. While Sunday morning remained the central event, worship services became more varied and dynamic. Regular Thursday vespers and morning prayers were introduced, along with the addition of special days and celebrations to both the Sunday morning calendar and the church calendar of special occasions. The church members became more involved in the organization and operation of the church. There was also considerable growth in the adult education offerings and Sunday School and youth programs flourished, with enhanced curricula and increased participation.
The Revs. Hoehler played an outstanding role not only within the congregation but in the wider community and beyond. In 1994, the UUA honored them with the Award of Distinguished Service to the Cause of the Unitarian Universalism. The following year, in 1995, the First Parish Church in Weston honored the Rev. Dr. Hoehler as their minister emeritus.
Throughout his career, the Rev. Dr. Hoehler was deeply engaged in various leadership roles within the denomination serving on the board of the Church of the Larger Fellowship (1958–196) and the Unitarian Sunday School Society (1959). He was a member of the Committee on Theological Education (1960–1962) and held positions such as President of the Unitarian Universalist Ministers’ Association of Essex County (1960–1961) and President of the Unitarian Christian Fellowship.
In addition to his contribution to the denomination, Harry was known for his leadership in social justice issues. He was active in the civil rights movement, joining the 1963 March on Washington and answering Martin Luther King’s call to northern clergy to come to Selma.
Fostering links between his own congregation and various interfaith organizations, Rev. Hoehler dedicated himself to promoting ecumenical understanding and cooperation. In this vein, he served as President of the Massachusetts Council of Churches, President of the Massachusetts Bible Society, denominational representative to the Greater Boston Church Leaders’ Covenant for Urban Justice, Official Observer at the World Council of Churches in Uppsala, Sweden, and Member, with Judith, of the U.S. Interreligious Committee for Peace in the Middle East. In 1996, he and Judith jointly received the Forrest L. Knapp award for Ecumenism from the Massachusetts Council of Churches.
His leadership extended to youth programs as well, where he directed the Rowe Senior High Camp in 1962. He participated in desegregating the Boston public schools and oversaw the founding of Roxbury Weston Preschool, housed in First Parish to this day. He was a part of the delegation that traveled to California to meet with Cesar Chavez in support of the grape workers’ strike in 1973.
In his writings and public talks, such as the UUA Minns Lectures of 1968 and 1975, Harry developed his ideas on interreligious dialogue, an intellectual trajectory that culminated in his book, Christian Responses to the World Faiths. In addition, he published numerous articles in theological journals, as well as two books of sermons, co-authored with Judith.
Harry had a deep love for classical music and possessed a prodigious command of American and European history.
Harry is survived by his wife of 68 years Rev. Judy Hoehler; his daughters Cynthia Hoehler-Fatton (Robert), and Kristen Hoehler (Spencer); three grandchildren, one step grandchild, and one step great grandchild. He was preceded in death by his eldest daughter Carolyn Hoehler, and his sisters Mary Hoehler Thompson, and Bonnie Metz.
A memorial service was held at 11 am on Saturday, January 11, 2025, at the First Parish Church in Weston, 349 Boston Post Road, Weston MA 02493.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of one’s own choosing. Notes of condolences may be sent to Judy Hoehler at hoehlerjudith@gmail.com.