July 24, 2008

FAIRFIELD, CA – Henry Childs, 90, a past president of the Queens Federation of Churches, died peacefully at home in Fairfield, California, on Sunday evening, April 20, surrounded by loving family. Word of the death was just received in New York this week.

After a long and courageous struggle with congestive heart failure, he released his spirit to the Greater Spirit. Although his commitment was always to the wonder of life, he now knows a deeper mystery of being in another realm that always intrigued him.

He was born in Brooklyn, NY, and lived most of his life on the east coast. He graduated Yale University and Yale Divinity School, was ordained in 1944, and attended the UCC's first General Synod. He served the Congregational Church of Homer, NY, for six years, and then the First Congregational Church of Rockaway Beach, NY, for 31 years.

He was a long-time member of the Board of Directors of the Queens Federation of Churches and served as President for three years from 1977-1979.

After retirement in 1982 he and his loving wife, Inga Kaisa Childs (who survives him and now lives with Alzheimers disease) traveled the world, often on walking tours. At the age of 73, he and Inga relocated to Vallejo, California, in order to be near the new family of their eldest son, Hal Childs. While in Vallejo, Henry and Inga became active members of the Community Congregational Church UCC in Benicia.

Henry's two deepest loves were people and the world of nature. He had a prodigious memory and would recite poetry at any moment that called for it. Without calling it by that name, he was one of the earliest proponents of "positive psychology and spirituality."

He compiled a vast collection of inspirational verse, quotations, and personal writings, all for the purpose of inspiring others to live fully in the moment. He had a warm and caring pastoral concern for everyone he met, and he was known for his uplifting sermons.

Hiking was his other great love. He was an ADK46er (#656), climbing all 46 mountains over 4,000 feet in the Adirondacks. One of his proudest accomplishments was hiking the entire Appalachian Trail, from Georgia to Maine, over several years. There are several other trails he "conquered."

He is survived by his wife, Inga Kaisa; his four children, Hal, John, Margaret, and Elizabeth; daughters-in-law Joan and Kathleen; five grandchildren, Cindy, Rebecca, Mary Ellen, Gregory, and Steven; and five great-grandchildren, Zachary, Jackson, Sophia, Eric, and Elisa.

A memorial service was held on Saturday, May 3 at the Community Congregational Church, 1305 W 2nd Street, Benicia, California.

A memorial service in New York will be held Saturday, September 13, 3 p.m., at the First Congregational Church, 320 Beach 94th Street, Rockaway Beach.

Queens Federation of Churches