Rev. Herman E. Luben

The Rev. Herman E. Luben, 91

Loudonville - The Rev. Herman E. Luben, 91, formerly of Loudonville, died Wednesday, April 15, 2009 at Albany Memorial Hospital. Herm was husband to the late Janice E. McCrea Luben. He earned degrees from Hope College, New Brunswick Theological Seminary, and the University of Chicago. He was a Minister of Word and Sacrament in the Reformed Church in America.

Calling himself a citizen of the world, Herm was born on a farm in Coopersville, Michigan. He always kept a garden, and, later in life, kept bees. His practice of ministry took him to Alberta, Canada where he distributed Bibles on horseback; Baldwin, NY (Long Island); Roxbury, NY; Utica, NY where he started a church; St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands; Lucerne, Switzerland; and Athens, Greece. He served the Reformed Church in America as an executive responsible for church growth and evangelism, and was instrumental in establishing the Fowler Camp and Retreat Center in Speculator, NY. A prayer cabin there was recently named in his honor - Vrede, Dutch for "peace." Herm was a gifted pastor and preacher, and over the years became a friend and mentor to many. He was a curious learner, respecter of others' spiritual journeys.

Herm leaves two daughters and one son: the Rev. Jan L. Hoffman of Scotia, NY; Deborah L. Farnham of Bristol, VT; and Dyk E. Luben of Washington, NC. Sharing their loss are the Rev. Craig Hoffman, Bruce Farnham, and Dr. Diana Antonacci. Herm had two grandsons, John and Judson Hoffman of Scotia, his sisters-in-law, Alicia Boyle Roemer, Bonnie McCrea and Evelyn Luben, and several nieces and nephews.

Friends are invited to worship God and celebrate Herm's life at 3:00 on Sunday afternoon, April 26 at the First Church in Albany , 110 North Pearl Street. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made in Herm's memory to the First Church in Albany 110 North Pearl Street Albany, NY 12207, to Doctors Without Borders USA, P.O. Box 5030, Hagerstown, MD 21741-5030 or Heifer Project International, 1 World Avenue, Little Rock, AR/USA 72202. A reception will follow worship at the church.

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