The Reverend Dr. William Horace McKenzie Mackintosh

Will, as he was known by many, was born in Brookport, Illinois, to Mary Ann Goodsell and William Mackenzie Macintosh, a Baptist minister from Rogart, Scotland. As a young man, Will found himself immersed in the ministry of his father, and would fill in for him during vacations; an experience that defined the course of his career and the passion for his life, and shaped an incredible legacy.

As a student, Will’s dedication to scholarship was astonishing, taking six successive degrees in Theology, Divinity, English Literature, and Philosophy over a 28-year period from 1943 to 1971, completing master's degrees in Divinity and English Literature at Yale and Pennsylvania Universities, and his Doctorate in Church History at Mansfield and St. Catherine Colleges at Oxford University in England. After being ordained to Ministry in 1958 by the Presbytery of London and the Church of Scotland, he became a true public servant, ministering to congregations across the United Kingdom before returning to the United States in 1962 to accept a position as the Director of Communications for the Colorado Council of Churches.

In 1963 he helped to found the St. Andrew’s Society of Colorado to provide all persons with an interest in Scotland the opportunity to pursue their interest in Scottish culture, traditions, and history; in 1964 he rescued Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. from a cloak room at Montview Presbyterian Church for a discussion with Denver area churches - the door was jammed, so Will pulled Dr. King over the transom; in 1974 he co-founded the Metropolitan Science Center in Denver’s City Park to give people a hands-on experience with modern science and technology; and, then, in 1976 he founded Interfaith Communications to bring together communities of different faith for prayer, healing, and celebration.

The impact Will had on the lives of the people he met was and continues to be extensive, reaching far beyond the churches in England, Scotland, Colorado, and Louisiana, and out into the hearts of those communities where his generous spirit was deeply loved. He married twice, adopted five children, and had one son. He was a Fire Chaplain, Police Chaplain, Professor, Author, Poet, an Armiger of the College of Arms installed by the Lyon Court of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth, and even hosted his own morning talk show on Channel 6 in Denver, The Pastoral Call.

Will Mackintosh met with, prayed with, broke bread with, married, counseled and cared for thousands of people over the course of his life, and recognized the unique quality in each relationship he made. A remarkable man by many measures; and we will miss him, but not in spirit.

Will is survived by his wife, Ruth Goliwas, his sister, Evelyn Greenwald, six children, Trip, Todd, Patsy, Andrew, Liz and Ben, 12 grandchildren, Terra, Cameron, Peter, Nenani, Ellie, Greg, Frank, Joe, Kasey, Libby, Zachary, and Margaret, and 5 great-grandchildren, Ryan, Colin, Stella, Luka, and Augustus.

From Trip:

Papa, you taught me that gentleness is not weakness; kindness is not foolish; generosity enriches; another man, not your birth father, can guide with true love; if you allow expansive love into your life, another man’s children can take and then fill your heart, as do your own; and biology is an accident, the meeting of souls is not.

From Patsy:

The Great and Powerful Papa was always my biggest fan, no matter what I was doing in life. He always had full faith in me and my ability to be anything and anyone I chose, and for a girl growing up surrounded by brothers, and not quite sure of her place in the world, he was powerful. I am so proud of the woman I have become, tucked under his wing, and so very thankful to be his daughter.

From Todd:

Papa was a spiritual guide for our whole family. With great courage and conviction, he adopted Trip, Patsy and I when we were all going into our teen years, and by doing so provided stability and a sense of familial support that was truly a gift of a lifetime. His loyalty to family, to his faith, and to Jesus and the Holy Spirit, were steadfast examples of a man of truth, purpose, and genuine but humble greatness.

From Andrew:

Papa taught me to throw a baseball and a football, how to root for my home team, and how to throw a punch. When I was 5, he introduced me to professional boxer Ron Lyle, the #4 heavyweight in the world, and when I married my husband, no one wanted to be there more than he did. As a father, he did everything he could to be a role model and a best friend.

From Ben:

Will was always fast with a joke or a song, and the first to inquire about or cheer on your dreams. It’s always about you when you’re with him, and I’ll always remember and respect his unwavering support for his family and friends.

From Terra:

I still have the note you sent me with flowers for my birthday, it reads “Happy birthday to America’s most promising dramatic actress.” Your life was one for the books — those of us who got to know you are so much better because of it.

From Cameron:

I love you dearly. You have been a huge inspiration in my life around how to treat others and the connection we all have to one another. I will carry your morals and lessons with me always.

From Nenani:

You are a real man with substance. I’ve seen it in your actions and through your speeches. I’ve also heard about that substance from the stories about your sermons. As with many things in this world - I wish we had spent a bit more time together.

From Ellie:

Grandpapa taught me that life is full of delightful curiosities and showed me that passionate and open-minded inquiry knows no age, faith, or time. He was committed to truly understanding things in a way that made all he discussed seem sacred, magical, and loved.