Reverend Henry Bruce Marksberry PhD

REVEREND HENRY BRUCE MARKSBERRY, PhD
3/26/1935 – 9/9/2024
Reverend Henry Bruce Marksberry, PhD., 89, of Fort Thomas Kentucky passed away on Monday September 9th, 2024 peacefully at the Hospice of Cincinnati. Henry was born, March 26th, 1935, in Newport Kentucky to Luda Marksberry and Marjorie (Kuhnheim) Marksberry. He grew up in Newport and attended Newport High School. From there, Henry attended Georgetown College for his Bachelor of Arts. He went on to receive his Master of Divinity at Southern Baptist Seminary; his Doctor of Ministry from United Theological Seminary, Dayton, Ohio; and completed the classwork for a Doctor of Philosophy from Union Institute. Everyone who knew Henry knew he was a lifelong learner, and a scholar. In May of 1955, Henry married his sweetheart Carol Sue Embry of Winchester, Kentucky. They met in Newport, and forged a lifelong relationship and an exceptional and loving bond. Her influence on Henry was significant, and her partnership was valued. Henry was an ordained Minister by the Campbell County Baptist Association, First Baptist Church, Newport, Kentucky 1955, and received an Ecclesiastical Endorsement and Ministerial Standing, United Church of Christ, Southwest Association, Ohio Conference 1964. He also had ministerial standing in southwest Ohio. Among his accomplishments, Henry was a board Certified Chaplain; a Diplomate from the International Association of Professional Pastoral Psychotherapists and Clinical Supervisors; a Certified Supervisor of the American Association of Pastoral Counselors; a Clinical Supervisor from the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists; a Certified Group Therapist (AGTA), a Fellow of the Association of Pastoral Counselors, and a Certified Supervisor from the Association of Clinical Pastoral Education. Just to name a few. Reverend Marksberry started his pastoral career travelling the tri-state. In the beginning of his career, he worked at St. Peters Church in Osgood Indiana before joining the United Church of Christ. He led St. Johns Church of Christ in Indianapolis, then was an associate pastor in Newport, then ministered in Finneytown, Ohio, and then back to Newport Kentucky as the Senior Minister for St. Johns United Church of Christ. Later, he was a Senior Minister at the First United Church of Christ in College Hill, and was a sought after interim Minister at many tri-state churches until his retirement. His ideas, experience and leadership were always cherished. Henry's holistic approach led him to become a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, a Licensed Professional Psychotherapist, a Licensed Drug and Addiction Counselor, a Spiritual Eldering Leader, a faculty member of the Lay Ministry Program at the Athenaeum of Cincinnati, and an Instructor at Mt. St. Mary's College. Henry served as Director of Pastoral Care, Education, and Chaplaincy Services at Bethesda North Hospital for 24 years. He created a non-denominational approach for clinical Chaplaincy in the healthcare setting, with a focus on Death, Dying and Bereavement, servicing the whole person. He was involved in the formation of the Bethesda Alcohol and Drug Treatment Program, served on the boards of the United Church of Christ, the Council on Alcoholism, the American Cancer Society, the Association of Clinical Pastoral Education, and was active in the formation of Hospice of Cincinnati. Henry's program for Chaplaincy was so well received by patients, family and his students that his vision spread across the healthcare and religious landscape. Some of his students commented that he was always thinking 10 years ahead. In addition to his other remarkable accomplishments, Henry was especially proud to have served as an educator at the Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati, Ohio. He was a pioneer in clinical pastoral education and counseling. His colleagues and students saw Henry as an innovator. None of this would have happened without the stability and grace of his wife Carol, who inevitably had to share Henry with the community. Together or apart, they were always a team. Henry and Carol loved living in Northern Kentucky, tending to their home in Fort Thomas. They always kept a beautiful garden and a focus on family. Henry is preceded in death by his older brother Donald Marksberry, and recently, his wife Carol Sue (Embry) Marksberry. He is survived by his children, Michael (Tara Scarborough) Marksberry and Lesa (David) Lipson, and his grandchildren Cory and Brooke Hemmelgarn, and Max and Dr. Molly Lipson. Visitation will be held Tuesday, September 17th, 2024 from 6-8pm at the Muehlenkamp-Erschell Funeral Home 427 South Fort Thomas Avenue Fort Thomas, Kentucky 41075. A short visitation will be held Wednesday September 18th, 2024 at 10am, with a funeral ceremony to follow at 11am at the St. Johns United Church of Christ, 415 Park Avenue Newport, Kentucky 41071. Burial will take place at the Evergreen Cemetery, Southgate, Kentucky. Henry's wishes are for any donations to be made to the Hospice of Cincinnati. May his memory be a blessing.