The Rev. Howard Box died on April 15, 2021 at the age of 94.
Howard was born on May 22, 1926, in Newark NJ to Harland D. Box and Helen C. Box. He graduated high school in 1939 and entered the Brothers College of Drew University, Madison NJ graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in 1946. As a student, he variously worked part time as a junior high group leader in a Presbyterian sponsored Community House Summit NJ, and at the YMCA in New Haven CT. He also had a student dry cleaning business of his own and was an Assistant Minister for a year at Forest Hills Presbyterian Church, Newark NJ. In 1949, Howard received his Master of Divinity from Yale Divinity School, New Haven CT.
Rev. Box was ordained on March 20, 1949, by the Community Church (UU) in Summit NJ. Following his ordination, he was called to the First UU Church of Girard PA where he ministered until 1951. He then served the Unitarian Church, Newburgh NY (1951–1955), and the First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa ON, Canada (1955–1960).
Thereafter, Rev. Box was drawn to community ministry and served as a leader at the Brooklyn Ethical Center for sixteen years (1960–1976). He again served in parish at the Oak Ridge UU Church TN (1976–1991) where he helped write curriculum on the Prophets, developed a stronger R.E. program, and contributed towards an expanded ecumenicalism. Each congregation that Rev. Box served had significant experiments with the arts—drama and poetry services, art exhibitions, and unusual music. The UUA Department of Education reprinted his materials and one of the texts that he wrote for a Hungarian Christmas carol appeared in Singing the Living Tradition as hymn 227 “Crèche Flickers Bright Here”.
On August 15, 1991, the Oak Ridge congregation designated Rev. Box as their minister emeritus. On August 31, 1991, he retired from his active ministry.
Coming to the liberal ministry from a Methodist background, including a college with a Methodist theological school adjoining, Rev. Box always saw religion as a broader movement than any institution. This early ecumenical direction made it easy for him to accept a Universalist settlement before merger.
Rev. Box always attempted to build bridges to those representing sharply divergent views. He had a strong focus on peace and international liberal religion. He led in reorganizing the UU Peace Fellowship, and edited UNIPAX for the UU Peace Fellowship (1979–1981). He was on the Friends of Religious Humanism panels at the General Assembly in 1984 and 1985. He served the Meadville Conference Board, was President of the Oak Ridge Ministerial Association for three terms, and a speaker for the Liberal Religious Youth (LRY).
Many of Rev. Box’s articles were published in Religious Humanism (RH), some of which include: “Death of God Theology: A Humanist Evaluation” (Fall, 1967); “Hymnals and Humanist” (Winter 1989). An article on JFK’s death, “The Kennedy Shock” ran in the September 1973 issue of the Humanist. He also contributed to a symposium on “Religious vs. Secular Humanism” in RH (Summer, 1984).
Howard long held a title of a Humanist Counselor with the American Humanist Association. He was founder of the Fellowship of Religious Humanist. In 1986, he visited the Soviet Union with the first informal Humanist delegation, which resulted in Soviet participation in the International Humanist and Ethical Union.
In New York, he served the Liberal Ministers Club and the Metropolitan Board for Conscientious Objectors. He was a chairperson and organizer of the Flatbush Civic Council, and secretary of NY Clergy Concerned. He was active in the Vietnam War Protests and the SANE Nuclear Policy organization. He was in The March on Washington when Martin Luther King gave his “I Have a Dream Speech.”
In Canada, he was active in the Kiwanis Club, Children’s Aid Board, and the Meadville Conference Board.
Music was a major “outside interest,” to Howard. He accompanied his wife’s excellent flute and often played his own service on the organ. He collected Atlases, and books in general. He also enjoyed watching birds and swimming.
Howard is survived by his wife of 68 years, Jean Newton Box; daughters: Ruth Westfall, Carol Box and her husband, Alessandro Nicita; son Gordon Box and his partner, Betsy Williams; as well as his grandchildren: Robert Westfall, Sofia and Mateo Nicita.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations honoring Rev. Box can be made to the Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church, 809 Oak Ridge Turnpike, Oak Ridge TN 37830.