Rev. Ernest Bodenweber
October 17, 2023
Rev. Ernest Bodenweber passed away peacefully, after a short illness, on October 17. He was born in Cleveland, Ohio in 1925. He graduated from Cleveland Heights High School in 1943, from Denison University in 1947, and from Anderson Newton Theological School in 1953. He also did graduate study at Boston University School of Theology and Harvard Divinity School. After serving three pastorates in Massachusetts, he was called to the First Congregational United Church of Christ in West Haven, Connecticut, from which he retired in 1988. During his active ministry, he served on the Boards of the Alumni of Andover Newton Theological School, the Seaman's Friend Society of Boston, the Mission Committee of the Massachusetts Conference of the United Church of Christ, and the United Ministry of Higher Education in Connecticut. He also served as moderator of the New Haven Association of the United Church of Christ. In retirement, he did volunteer activity with the Marshall Lane Manor Convalescent Hospital of Derby, the Foundation for the Community Encouragement, the United Board for Christian Higher Education in Asia, and Yale New Haven Hospital. He was an active participant in both the First Presbyterian Church of New Haven and the Shalom United Church of Christ, also of New Haven. He was a devotee of music and sang in several choruses, including the New Haven Community Chorus, the University Glee Club, and the New Haven Oratorio Choir. He reveled in the musical richness at Yale and attended countless concerts there.
He was pre-deceased by his first wife Dorothy Tekel Bodenweber; and survived by his wife, Muriel Beck Bodenweber; two daughters, Jennifer Bodenweber and Joanna Bodenweber; son-in-law, Geoffry Fried; five stepchildren, Cynthia Love, Donald Beck, David Beck, Daniel Beck and Katherine Beck; stepdaughters-in-law, Stephanie Beck and Debbie Sherman; stepson-in-law, Mark Love; eight step-grandchildren and seven step-great-grandchildren.
A Memorial Service will take place on Sunday, November 5, 2023, at 3 p.m., at the First Presbyterian Church, New Haven. Funeral Arrangements have been entrusted to West Haven Funeral Home at the Green. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Andover Newton Theological School at Yale University or Connecticut Hospice in Branford, CT. To leave an online message for the Bodenweber family, please visit www.westhavenfuneral.com

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Published by The New Haven Register on Oct. 20, 2023.

Memories and Condolences
for Ernest Bodenweber

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3 Entries

Maureen (Carleton) Hamilton

November 11, 2023

I am indebted to Rev. Bodenweber in so many ways. Rev. Bodenweber was my pastor throughout my formative years and he helped to guide me on a good portion of my faith journey. He was a trusted confidant, an exemplary prayer warrior, and a dear friend. My favorite memory of Ernie Bidenweber was when he came to visit me in my freshman of college. He bought me a decent meal (away from the dining hall) and then didn't even flinch when he got a parking ticket It was an expensive visit for him, and it was exactly what I needed as a lonely freshman. Ernie performed Ken's and my wedding ceremony too. I will miss seeing his Christmas card arrive in the mail- always the first or second one we received. Rev. Bodenweber will always live in my heart as a humble, kind, gentle, and joyful soul. What a wonderful man he was!

Susan Tibor

November 9, 2023

I am saddened by the passing of beloved Ernie Bodenweber. His time at the First Congregational Church of West Haven blessed so many of us, and I have abundant warm memories of his kindness and helpfulness and encouragement that he shared with me. What a truly gentle and sweet man!
With heartfelt thoughts and prayers,
Susan Banta Tibor

Erin Hatt (granddaughter of Bill and Eleanore McGaffin)

October 21, 2023

Reverend Bodenweber was the minister at my grandparents' church for ages, meaning he was also my mom's minister growing up. I remember listening to my mom and grandma talking about him fondly.

Although he retired from their church when I was only 2, we would run into Rev. Bodenweber at the CT Post Mall where he'd be walking for exercise. Those were the times I got to interact with him a bit. On multiple occasions, we would bump into him in the food court and join each other for lunch and conversation. It didn't happen often, but enough to make an impact.

I know he had a significant impact on my grandparents who died in 2017 and 2018. They always spoke of him with utmost respect.

My prayers go out to his family and friends. He was a very special person.

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