Harry W. Eberts

Harry W. Eberts, Jr. died early Sunday morning, July 12, 2020, surrounded by his loving family. He was born September 15, 1926 in Wheeling, WV, the son of the late Harry W. and Marie (Hofreuter) Eberts. Harry was a Presbyterian pastor, theologian, historian, an exceptional preacher, and a lifelong learner. Harry spent his last nine years at Friendship Village in Kalamazoo, close to his eldest son and family.

On June 18, 1949, Harry married Dorothy (Dottie) Hedges and they were married for more than 66 years. Harry graduated from both Heidelberg College and Yale Divinity School, after which he served as senior pastor for forty years in Presbyterian Church (USA) churches, including Granville, Marietta, and Wooster, Ohio; Pasadena, California; Evanston, Illinois, and Westminster Presbyterian Church in Akron, Ohio, from which he retired in 1991. He received the Doctor of the Science of Theology (STD) degree from San Francisco Theological Seminary in San Anselmo, California, in 1970 and taught there on several occasions. A community leader, Harry was a pioneer in establishing preschools, eldercare services, retirement homes for the elderly, ecumenical relations among churches, and worked on social inclusion and racial/ethnic inequities, including efforts to integrate the public schools in Pasadena.

In 1978, Harry and Dottie were invited to Egypt to talk about reformed theology to members of the Coptic Evangelical Church. They returned to Egypt nine times over the following twenty years, teaching, preaching, helping people in small villages improve their lives through CEOSS, and preparing ministers of the churches in Egypt for graduate work in the United States. Their tenth and final trip to Egypt included a ceremony where Harry was honored for his work in the establishment of the first school for mentally disabled students in Alexandria.

Harry was a prolific writer and the author of numerous books, including We Believe: A Study of the Book of Confessions for Church Officers (1987) which has been used by Presbyterian congregations and presbyteries across the country, and The Jesus Movement, a series of books, some written with his brother Paul, on the early church. He was completing his 14th book at the time of his passing.

A dedicated sports fan, Harry kept busy cheering for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Cleveland Cavaliers and Cleveland Browns. Family, though, was paramount and he took great pride in his three sons and their families.

Harry is preceded in death by his loving wife, Dorothy (Hedges), who died on February 9, 2016. Harry was also preceded in death by his middle son, Ray; and his brother, Paul Eberts. Harry is survived by his sons, Randall (Diane) Eberts, Harry Eberts III (Jenny Harland); daughter-in-law, Cindelyn Eberts; grandchildren, Linnaea (John) Thomas, Kendra Eberts, Wescott Eberts, Russell Eberts, Gwen Eberts, Claire Eberts, and Hans Harland-Hue; and three great-grandchildren.

Harry Eberts lived with immense grace and kindness. He never lost the moral clarity through which he viewed the world. He will be greatly missed by his family and those who knew him.

Cremation has taken place and a graveside service will be held at a later date in Ohio. To view Harry's personalized guestbook please visit https://www.langelands.com. Any donations should be sent to his son's church, care of the Ministry Fund, First Presbyterian Church, 208 Grant Avenue, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87501.