Dr Harry Victor Summers Jr.

Dr. Harry Victor Summers, Jr., 90, died peacefully on Feb. 3, 2010 with family members at his side at his home in Brentwood, Calif. Dr. Summers was born in Columbus, Ohio on Dec. 20, 1919 and on June 22, 1943 married his wife of 66 years, Ila Hope Shaffer. He is survived by Ila; his five children, Beverly Summers Ohms (David), Harry Victor Summers III (Jenifer), Marcia Summers (Murray Van Dyke), David Summers and Lisbeth Summers Sivert; nine grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren. A Presbyterian pastor, Dr. Summers graduated from Kent (Ohio) State University, the Evangelical Theological Seminary in Naperville, Ill. and the McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago, where he earned his Doctorate in Ministry. He also received the Doctor of Arts and Letters, /honoris causa/ degree from the University of Albuquerque. He served Evangelical United Brethren congregations in Ohio and Oklahoma and Presbyterian congregations in Oklahoma, New Mexico and California. According to Mrs. Summers, he "flunked" retirement three times by serving as an interim pastor once in Cathedral City, Calif. and twice in Palm Springs. A Celebration of Dr. Summers' life will be held Sunday, March 14, 2010 at 3:00 PM at Palm Springs Presbyterian Church, 815 S. Camino Real, Palm Springs, CA. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in his name to: Vitas Hospice Foundation, 365 Lennon Lane, Suite 140, Walnut Creek, CA 94598 or Palm Springs Presbyterian Church, 815 S. Camino Real, Palm Springs, CA 92264 or the charity of your choice.