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Alvin Bos Obituary
As a Presbyterian minister, David served churches in Olean and Rochester, NY. He was the founder of Smith Haven Ministries on Long Island, one of the first community ministries in the country, and later served St. Matthews Area Ministry in Louisville and Interfaith Community Ministry in New Albany, IN. He received his Doctorate of Sacred Theology from San Francisco Theological Seminary in 1981.
He was a cofounder of the Louisville Metropolitan Housing Coalition and a founder of the national Interfaith Community Ministry network. He also served as co-chair of the Presbyterian Association for Community Transformation - one of several networks of the Presbyterian Health, Education and Welfare Association of the Presbyterian Church (USA). Of late his efforts for social change saw him deeply involved in the movement for a single payer health care program as a member of Kentuckians for Single Payer Healthcare, and he was helping to spearhead a campaign for divestment from for-profit health care companies.
David was the author of A Practical Guide To Community Ministry (Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 1993) and Bound Together: A Theology for Ecumenical Community Ministry (Cleveland: Pilgrim, 2005). At the time of his death he was writing a work on the issue of fair housing for the disenfranchised, tentatively entitled Sheltering the People.
He leaves behind his grieving family: his wife, Johanna W.H.van Wijk-Bos; his son, J.Martin Bos; daughter-in-law, Kimberly Bos, and granddaughter, Emma, all of Louisville. Other family members include his son, Stephen Van Kuiken, of Tucson, AZ; daughter, Julianne Zinn, of Ann Arbor, MI, their spouses and children; as well as brothers, Thomas Bos, of Holland, MI, Philip Bos of Hudson, OH and their spouses and children.
May David's life find its rest in God's divine munificence.
The funeral service will be held at Central Presbyterian Church, 318 W. Kentucky St., Louisville, on Friday, February 18, 2011, at 1 p.m., followed by a graveside service at Cave Hill Cemetery and a reception at the church.
Donations in David's memory may be made to the A.David Bos Memorial Fund for the Women's Center, Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Alvin Bos
February 18, 2011
Johanna and Martin my sincere sympathy on the loss of David. I am not in Louisville at this time or would express my sympathy in person. I have fond memories of David and the two of you. Know that you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Fondly, Jean Knipp
Stephi Wolff
February 17, 2011
David was wonderful to my four children at a crucial time in their life. I remember his kind and gentle manner.
He will be missed. Our condolences and prayers are with his family.
Rebecca Tollefson
February 17, 2011
Johanna, Martin and family, I am thinking of you. May you experience God's incredible love during these days. I give thanks to God for David's life and strong witness. Peace to you.
February 17, 2011
David was a faithful disciple, had a good heart, chamioned the poor and always stood for justice. He will be missed by many.
The Rev. Mark W. Wendorf
February 17, 2011
David's PHEWA Family joins in celebrating his life and witness and we grieve with his beloved family and friends the loss of his daily fellowship. David got things done; things that many thought not possible. His work with partners in the Presbyterian Health, Education & Welfare Association paved the way to a miraculous endorsement by the Presbyterian Church (USA) of single payer universal healthcare for all. David's leadership in actually implementing that endorsement has given the PC(USA) prophetic credibility nationwide. Along with David's truly impressive credentials and accomplishments was the humility of servant leadership. I'll be forever grateful for the five week volunteer staffing that David took on with Ginny Copenhefer in the PHEWA office last spring, while i recovered from knee surgery. Many of his stature would not be available for the mundane tasks that keep vital ministry flowing.
While David rests in peace, my prayer is that he is able to also intercede to inspire our efforts to continue his legacy. He remains with us and we are grateful.
susan stack
PHEWA staff
Louisville, KY
February 17, 2011
David will be greatly missed by those of us in the community ministries. He was an inspiration to all of us. I consider myself blessed to be able to say he was a mentor and friend. My prayers are with his family.
Mike Jupin, Executive Director of the South Louisville Community Ministries and co-chair of the Association of Community Ministries
Tom and Paulette Goetz
February 16, 2011
With fond memories of David, and heartfelt sympathy for Johanna, Marty, Kim, and Emma, we are thinking of you, sending love and prayers.
Stacy and Kaelin Lyons
February 16, 2011
Marty, Kim and Emma we are thinking of and love you guys.
Carol Maher
February 16, 2011
"Johanna, thinking of you with affection at this difficult time." a former student
Christine Harbeson
February 16, 2011
As the newest director of one of David's past passions, Interfaith Community Council, I would be remiss not to express my sympathies to the family of David Bos. Though we never met, I often hear stories of the vision of this man. Working ecumenically to serve our community was a great gift. He often brought people together from varied paths and somehow, was able to find common ground between them. He then worked the soil to grow something of meaning. Many of us owe a great deal to the foresight of a man like David Bos. It is an honor to follow behind such a faithful, strong leader.
Amariah McIntosh
February 16, 2011
My thoughts and prayers are with the Bos family. David will be truly missed by all of us. He is RIP (resting in Paradise).
Kim Bos
February 16, 2011
Dignity, patience, and grace guided his life. David's enthusiasm for social justice is contagious to all of us who knew him. David's love for life was constantly revealed through his actions - not ever wasting one moment as he: wrote, swam, canoed, kayaked, protested, loved, shared, sacrificed, traveled, prayed, and played with Emma . I am a better person, because I knew him. David taught me through his actions, never preaching to me, only humbly illustrating to me how to equitably live. After David's life ended on Saturday, I felt and feel his influence even stronger. I want to be a better person and love my family and community as he loved them. I give thanks to my creator for allowing me the opportunity to be still enough to learn the lessons David had to offer me. I feel that my life will be more meaningful, because I knew him. I love David with all my heart, will miss him the rest of my days, and will tirelessly sever the margins of society as he did. David's enthusiasm will never die, it will live in our hearts forever.
Jen Davidson
February 16, 2011
Thank you, David, for being such a loving and positive presence in the life of my daughter, Kate Davidson.
Cathy Hinko
February 16, 2011
David saw that a lack of fair and affordable housing was preventing people and families from succeeding. David called together service providers, ministry people and anyone he could think of whose work and sense of justice was derailed by this impediment.
From that initial meeting sprang the Metropolitan Housing Coalition and a new focus in our community on affordable housing.
The ability to see an injustice and translate concern into action is rare and to be treasured. David had that ability and our community is better because of that. He truly leaves a legacy that will continue to grow.
Thank you, David.
Cathy Hinko
Wendy Burford
February 16, 2011
When David came to the Louisville Presbyterian Seminary library to request books via interlibrary loan, he was always quietly gracious. I'll miss his visits.
Tascha Sodan
February 16, 2011
Thank you David for giving of yourself and your time so unselfishly. It is because of men such as yourself ,who took the time to mentor to a group of teenagers, that my son has grown into the boy that he is today. You will greatly missed.
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