313 Main Street • PO Box 8
Chester,
Vermont 05143
Please come and join us for our 10 AM service, which will be inside our lovely church; a zoom option is also available most Sundays
(802) 875-6000
OBITUARIES
Patricia Fromberger Harold 'Red’ Johnson Joyce Tiemann Norman B. Harrison Norman K. Wright Walter E. Huebner
Judith Lynne Copping
Patricia Fromberger
Patricia Susan (Kochiss) Fromberger passed away on the morning of Sunday, May 23, 2021, at her home in Andover, Vt. Pat was born in Bridgeport, Conn., Feb. 4, 1940, the youngest of three sisters. She grew up in Easton, a small rural community a few miles from Bridgeport. Although her father was killed in an automobile accident when she was only one year old, she was raised and loved by a large and supportive family including her mother and many aunts and uncles.
Throughout her life, Pat’s Christian faith was always essential to her outlook. Her relationship with God informed every aspect of her life from an early age; she was baptized in the Russian Orthodox Church of her grandmother, Mary Kochiss, and she grew up as a devoted member of the Episcopal Church. Pat drew enormous strength and comfort from her faith, and although she was patient, mild of manner, and not always publicly outspoken about her views, she was very clear in her devotion.
After graduating from the University of Connecticut in 1962 with a B.A. in home economics, she married H. Joseph Fromberger, having met by chance, and in answer to her prayers, on a ski trip to Vermont in 1967. They were married for 53 years. After the birth of their first son Michael, and the tragic loss of their second son Paul, Pat and Joe moved to Andover, Vt. There, Pat found and joined the community of St. Luke’s Church. Together, her family and the church were the core and bedrock of her life. For Pat, St. Luke’s became a kind of extension of her family, and she served the community of the church for the rest of her life.
Once her son was in school, Pat took a job at the Vermont Country Store. Although she started out with basic clerical tasks in the office of their mail-order business, she soon got involved in producing their mail-order catalogue itself. Pat always had a talent for art – she could draw well and had a keen photographer’s eye. The owner, Vrest Orton, recognized Pat’s skills, and within a few years she became the principal creative director in charge of the design, layout, and production of the VCS catalogue. Over the course of more than 25 years working at the company, Pat had a substantial influence on the artistic style of their iconic brand.
Pat also brought the skills and experience she gained from her working career back to St. Luke’s, shepherding the production of the “Light in the Shadows” newsletter for many years. For this work, she was honored on multiple occasions by the Diocese of Vermont.
Harold 'Red’ Johnson From The Chester Telegraph Mar 04, 2021 Written by Adelaide Johnson
Harold R. “Red” Johnson, the love of my life, passed away at home with his family by his side, on Feb. 28, 2021, after a three-year bout with throat cancer. He had turned 83 on Feb. 6.
Red was born in Windsor, Conn., the youngest son of Hazel and William Johnson. He was predeceased by his brother Bill and sister Norma. He graduated from Windsor High School, enlisted in the Marine Corps, then went off to the University of Connecticut, where we met.
Red was a devoted and loving husband, a loving and caring father to his son, Steven, now a retired colonel in the Army Special Forces, and daughter-in-law, Kym; daughter Julie and son-in-law, Donnie; and his beloved granddaughters, Melinda and Allison. He was also devoted to his many nieces and nephews, Karen, Scott, Chris, Rich, Sandy, Ken and Doug.
Red Johnson presiding over the March 2017 Andover Town Meeting. Telegraph Publishing file photo.
He was an avid downhill skier and builder of stonewalls and beautiful gardens. His career included district manager of Liberty Mutual Insurance Co. in Buffalo, N.Y., where we lived in East Aurora and he was a serious Buffalo Bills fan.
He then was a managing director of Marsh McLennan in Washington, D.C. In retirement, we lived in Andover, Vt., where he served as the chairman of the Select Board for 15 years.
Joyce Tiemann Written by Bonnie Watters for the November 2000 Newsletter, LITS
Joyce Tiemann is a very private person, a lovely lady who radiates a warm and safe zone, one which is both comforting and consoling. It is just safe to be in her midst and she in ours.
Born in Orange, NJ, her family moved to Cavendish in 1933. She is the youngest of the three children. One of her favorite memories as a child was when grandmother came in the summers and the children were treated to ice cream sodas at the soda fountain once in the Chester drugstore. Her early education through seventh grade was with eight others in the little Cavendish Center schoolhouse. But when her father joined the war effort, the family moved about the country, first to Louisville, KY where her school population soared to 3000! You might say Joyce learned adaptability rather quickly and her path of life echoes that trait. Her siblings remained New Englanders; her brother lives in Maine, her sister in Andover. And after many journeys to several continents, Joyce returned to stay here as well.
The Tiemanns returned to Brattleboro, VT from Columbus, GA when Joyce was a teenager. After finishing high school at Brimmer & May School in Boston, she earned her associate degree in secretarial studies from Bryant College. Travel remains an avid interest for Joyce. And throughout her more than fifty-year work life, she did travel and did see the country – and the world. Perhaps it was because she started her career with American Express! After a stint with Time Magazine she went to London with the U. S. Air Force as a civilian. Her favorite memory is the coronation of Elizabeth II firsthand. Then in the mid fifties she took a position at the Tuck School at Dartmouth College. Wanting to see the country again and enjoying the academic atmosphere, she took a job at Stanford University; and subsequently returned back east to Boston to M.I.T and Dartmouth. In between those assignments she spent fifteen months in Australia and New Zealand.
A deep faith drew Joyce to spend several months at St. Helena Convent where she became an associate. Continuing her walk in this direction Joyce took a position with the Church Counseling Service of the Diocese of Albany and worked for the Order of Holy Cross, the companion monastery to St. Helena’s. Perhaps this is why today Joyce gleans much personal joy from participation in quiet days and religious retreats to satisfy her personal, private callings to Christ.
Finally in 1971 she returned “home” to Cavendish, establishing her own secretarial business. (She confides that she still uses shorthand—her own brand adapted from Gregg—as many of us do.) For twelve years Joyce worked for Springfield Hospital.
When Joyce first retired she became involved with the operation of the Cavendish Library and remained interested in bringing the Cavendish Community Library to fruition. Enhancing her ministry she attended Trinity Episcopal School for a year of study, and received a diploma in lay ministry. A stroke in 1996 slowed her down a bit, but not spiritually.
Joyce Tiemann has served the Lord and her church steadfastly and unselfishly. For the 29 years Joyce graced Gethesame in Proctorsville she attended almost every diocesan convention, served on two search committees which culminated in hires of the Rev Frank H. Moss, III and Andrew G. Osmun. During those years the Proctorsville church was “yoked” to St. Luke’s and the young rectors made treks through the Gulf to services north of Chester through every season. During her nearly three decades at Gethesame Joyce did everything from serve as an acolyte to vestry person and just about everything in between. She intends to ease into worship duties at St. Luke’s and is looking forward to helping with the Homework Club. Her lovely voice and love of music add much to the congregation’s contribution to music worship at St. Luke’s. Always one to be counted on, Joyce has served the Church on both the Diocesan Evangelism Committee and the National Presiding Bishops Fund.
Having known Joyce Tiemann for 26 of her 29 years touching the St. Luke’s community, I can say it feels very warm and comfortable having her close and near to us at St. Luke’s where she belongs –and just down a few houses on Main Street. —Bonnie Watters J
When I approached my hero Norm about sharing his story, he quipped, “I was born at an early age.” Knowing he will celebrate his ninetieth birthday on St. Patrick’s Day in the Year of our Lord 2012, I knew everyone would be well pleased to hear his story, especially when it starts with a joke.
That date of birth would be March 17, 1922. Some might not know that the place was Bolton, Lancashire, England. A midwife, Nurse Emma, delivered Norman at his grandparents’ house. Big brother Jack was eight years old and born in N.J. The Harrison family would return to the U. S. two years later. His parents were churchgoers. His maternal grandfather was choirmaster, and his four sons were choirboys in the church where Norman was baptized. (These fellas would be his uncles!) I remember Norman telling me once that his father instilled in him the importance of dressing up with a shine on his shoes for church. That lesson stuck. His father would be quite proud of his son’s colorful shirts, ties, and shined shoes today.
During his boyhood and school years, Norman was involved in the church youth group and Boy Scouts, eventually becoming a member of the Order of the Arrow. His scouting experience was shared years later as the scoutmaster for his son who became an Eagle Scout. He played basketball and baseball and confesses he was Bloomfield’s worst trumpet player. Still in the band, he moved on to drums. And his love for drumming attests to his love for big band music. I remember his story of playing hooky from school to go into NYC to hear Benny Goodman’s band. In high school he ventured to the stage, too, and it was probably the acting that got him out of trouble for that act.
Norman attended Colgate University as a Naval Aviation Cadet. His first job was an insurance underwriter before entering the service in 1942. His three-year service in the U. S. Navy included a year in the Pacific as a weatherman. Many know that Norman dreamed of flying for his country, but that it did not become fulfilled. Today he lives flying through Doc Sexton’s aviation magazines, which he shares with several St. Luke’s men who dream the same dream. Did someone say that Norman’s famous STL ball cap stands for the St. Louis Cardinals and his hero is Stan Musial? Just ask him.
After three years outdoors with the Navy, Norman could not fathom working inside, so after his tour, he joined the Bell System as an installer and repairman. He was part of the N.J. Bell task force sent to New England for two weeks to restore service after Hurricane Carol in 1954. While driving home across the George Washington Bridge, he learned Hurricane Donna came through and took everything down again. These vivid images of New England cemented his love for this part of the country. In 1957 he was promoted to a computer programmer, and a year later he was “loaned” to AT&T in NYC to computerize its personnel and payroll systems. Norman believes New Jersey Bell forgot about him and he stayed with AT&T until the government (in all its wisdom) broke up the Bell System. Retirement came on January 1, 1984 when he was District Manager of the Bell System Personnel Data Base, the world’s largest database in the private sector, nearly one million people.
Of course, Ruth came into this man’s life way back. They met at church. She was just a kid when he went off to war. When he returned, she had grown up. Wow! Ironically, Ruth worked for N J. Bell a few years before Norm did. They were married on September 9, 1949. The Harrison’s two grown children both work in Flemington, N.J. Cynthia is a certified medical assistant serving with an OB/GYN. Jeffrey and his wife Nancy are both doctors maintaining a psychology practice. Apple of their eyes is Olivia, their 14-year-old granddaughter, who always loves to visit VT… and ski. Ruth, everyone knows, is a fine artist and has been for half a century, and her best fan is Norm.
In 1988, after a three-year search, the Harrisons found the perfect home on Main Street in Chester, that even provided space to show and sell Ruth’s paintings. During their trips to Vermont they attended services at St. Luke’s, so they found two homes! (Later on they would downsize to a sweet stone house just down the street.) True, they had left behind a wonderful home and property that included a white wine vineyard in Pittstown, NJ, but they were joyful about being in the best of New England. Today, like the first time, Norman loves the St. Luke’s congregation—“a wonderful group of loving, caring people, blessed with a variety of talents and interests.” No wonder he fits in and does those things like volunteer driving, and with Ruth and Paul, taking communion to members of St. Luke’s who are unable to come to church—that is when he isn’t reading. He read a book Lew shared with him about the Tin Can Sailors almost overnight!.
My hero (and Ruth’s naturally) has always had Jesus in his life, beginning with his enrollment in the “cradle roll class” at four years of age for which he still has the diploma. Even in the Navy, during the war years, he attended services on deck— his weather predictions and other conditions permitting. No wonder Norman prays that St. Luke’s will continue to grow and to keep its heritage. Like this man, his faith is ageless and forever.—Bonnie Watters
Norman B. Harrison Written by Bonnie Watters for the March 2012 Newsletter, LITS
Norman K. Wright Published by the Rutland Herald on Nov. 14, 2017
Norman K. Wright, 85, died quietly at his home Thursday night with his four children and granddaughter by his side after a battle with cancer. He was born Nov. 15, 1931 in Walpole, N.H., son of Norman and Rose Wright.
He graduated from Vermont Academy in 1949. He then graduated and received a B.A. from Grinnell. Afterwards, he joined the Air Force and was stationed in Japan. Wright was part of the Aircraft Early Warning division and then was promoted to the personnel officer for the squadron. After two years in the Air Force, he returned to get his Masters degree from the University of Iowa.
In 1957, he married Irene (Fraser) Wright in Algona, Iowa. He then moved to Plainfield, N.J. where he began his 30-year career with Mobil Oil in the pipeline division. Through his career with Mobil Oil, he lead an adventurous life that lead to several moves around the country, including a two-year work assignment in Saudi Arabia.
Norman and Irene Wright raised four children together. After retirement, they ran the Chester House Bed and Breakfast for 10 years. They enjoyed 30 years of living in Chester and developing strong relationships with the community.
Walter E. Huebner Published by the Knight Funeral Home
Walter E. Huebner, 93, a resident of West Windsor, passed away Tuesday evening, April 9, 2019 at the Mt. Ascutney Hospital and Health Center in Windsor, surrounded by his family.
He was born December 16, 1925 in Potsdam, Germany the son of Walther E.P. and Dorothy (Hagemann) Hubner. He moved to the United States in 1929 and attended the New York City school system and graduated from Bay High School in Queens in 1943. Walter enlisted in the US Army at the age of seventeen and served in France and Germany as a combat infantryman bravely fighting during the Battle of the Bulge. He was honorably discharged in 1946. He then attended Queens College and later CCNY and Princeton University. He was employed at Republic Aviation designing fighter planes. He then moved to Connecticut and worked for Sikorsky Aircraft designing helicopters. He married June Corwin on November 20, 1976 in West Windsor and they moved to Vermont in 1985. Mr. Huebner taught Math and Physics at the Mid Vermont Christian School in Quechee for several years and became an ordained minister in 1995, proudly preaching the Gospel. Walter will be remembered for his joyful and generous nature. He was a life member of the VFW.
Lew & Bonnie Watters: Bonnie and I were blessed to attend the memorial service for former St. Luke’s member Walter Huebner on May 8, 2019. Walter and his wife June were active members here durning the ministry of former Rector Andrew Osmun. The Huebner’s son Christian, who was our church organist in the early 1990’s beginning at the young age of 12, is now pastor and musician at the Brownsville Community Church in Vermont. Rev. Andrew Osmun joined Christian to celebrate Walther’s life of 93 years.
The service for Walter was a moving tribute to his life in Christ. Christian memorialized his father as a true man of God. Rev. Andrew “honored” Walter for his steadfast support in building up St. Luke’s, where Walter had led discipleship, was senior warden and taught Sunday School among many other acts of faith. The final Hymn sing, Battle Hymn of the Republic, recalled Walter’s service to his country as an infantryman during the Battle of the Bulge in WW II. Many who packed packed the Brownsville Methodist Church that beautiful sunny spring afternoon recalled Walter’s frequent soft spoken humor.
Judith Lynne Copping passed away peacefully on Jan. 7, 2022, at home in Chester after a courageous two-year battle with ovarian cancer. She was born on Aug. 16, 1952 to Lynne and Frederick Malone in Syracuse, N.Y.
Her family moved to Manchester, Vt., in the early 1960s and Judi attended Manchester schools, graduating from Burr and Burton Academy in 1970. She later attended the University of Vermont.
She is survived by her husband of 47 years, Steve, her son Alexander, her sister Kathy Malone, brother Chris Malone and her Mom, Marilyn Egles, as well as many cherished nieces and nephews. She was sadly predeceased by her brother, Fred D. in 2014, and Dad, Frederick in 2016.
Judi had a long career with the Vermont Country Store, starting as a waitress in her college years and retiring as a product research analyst, a job she was very proud of and greatly enjoyed. She volunteered for many years at the Council on Aging and served as a Trustee of the Whiting Library in Chester until her illness interfered.
Judi was a kind, gentle, loving soul who touched many lives with her wonderful sense of humor and a keen wit that from a very early age could reduce grown men to tears of laughter. She was an avid reader and for a time owned her own antiquarian bookstore, which she moved online and operated until this fall. She was a skilled writer and enjoyed knitting, genealogy, travel, cooking and taking care of her beloved golden retriever, Roger.
