Robert Edward Leverenz

The cause of death was complications of Alzheimer’s Disease.

Born in Kingston, NY on November 3, 1935, Bob lived throughout the country. During his teens Bob learned of his gift of song while singing with the Kingston United Methodist choir. Bob attended Morningside College graduating with a bachelor’s degree. After earning his Master of Divinity, Duke University, he and his first wife Kathy Majorowicz married and started their family with two sons, Lance and Grant. For 25 years, Bob served as an Elder in United Methodist churches in Iowa and earned his Doctor of Ministry degree from St. Paul School of Theology.

After retiring from active ministry, Bob graduated with a Master of Social Work from University of Iowa. Bob moved to Houston, TX where he worked for AIDS Houston as a social worker in the lives of people ill with AIDS. During this time, he met and married Melinda ‘Lindy’ Huffman.

Desiring to live in another part of the country Bob and Lindy moved to Portland where Bob was the Executive Director of Our House, a hospice for AIDS patients. Bob also worked as a social worker for the Tri-County area. He then returned to active ministry in The United Methodist Church, serving in the Portland area. Serving as the pastor of Faith-Troutdale United Methodist Church in Troutdale, Oregon was the final step in his professional ministry. He retired to care for Lindy in her last months of battling cancer.

In 2010, Bob married Melanie K. Marcus and they began a chapter filled with further adventures. Bob supported Melanie during her own start in ministry and read every word of her Doctor of Ministry thesis. They enjoyed lively theological discussions and quietly reading books to one another. Together they hiked in the Columbia Gorge and rode bicycles throughout their NE Portland neighborhood and along the Columbia River.

Bob’s journey as a son, husband, father, pastor, social worker, and friend was remarkably textured. As a husband, he showed ongoing love and support. As a father, he modeled hard work and was deeply invested in his sons' lives - whether coaching their Little League baseball teams or talking through career hurdles. He was inspired by his own pastor to pursue the ministry because of a desire to serve the marginalized, the poor, the hungry and the imprisoned. His theological training encouraged him to bring faith and knowledge to the parishes he served. As a United Methodist pastor, he passionately believed that the world was his parish.

As a social worker and case manager Bob served the gay community during the initial decades of the AIDS epidemic and in Iowa as a parole officer. When living in Oregon, he attended to the social needs of those in hospice and home health, in particular AIDS patients, as well as at the Multnomah County Department of Aging and Disabilities. Bob was known for his compassion and comfort for anyone in need, which he shared unconditionally.

Music was a significant touchstone throughout Bob’s life. A gifted tenor he enhanced church services and sang in choirs. Bob loved the musical classics and often had every word memorized by heart. According to Bob, he carried a Jukebox in his head filled with songs ranging from country music to opera, as well as many of the all-time hits of the 50s, 60s, and 70s. A long-time Meals on Wheels volunteer, Bob often serenaded those gathered for lunch at Ambleside Senior Center with his vast repertoire of songs. It was not unusual for him to burst into song to startled cashiers, his doctor, and almost anyone with whom he came into contact. Eagerly, he sang out his joy of life.

Throughout his life Bob sought many new horizons. He traveled to Europe and Central America. He hiked and camped wherever he lived, fully enjoying the natural world with his family and friends. He carried special memories of family trips to Lake Michigan. Bob used his athleticism throughout his life. He backpacked the Grand Canyon from Rim-to-Rim trail, participated in the Montreal-New York AIDS awareness bike ride, and made daily trips to the gym well into his 80s.

Bob loved his many pet companions. Jackie was his boyhood dog who accompanied Bob on many happy walks in the woods above his upstate New York home. Clancy, a cockapoo, and Charles the Siamese cat were fixtures in his young family’s home. In his later years, Bob was charmed by his corgi dogs, Claire and Simon.

Especially, many busy days were started by Bob’s gentle conversations with Simon. While at Faith-Troutdale UMC he demonstrated his love for all pet companions by instituting an annual Blessing of the Animals during worship.

Bob nurtured his love of education through earning several academic degrees. Bob was a visiting speaker at the School of Social Work at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, where he delighted in his interactions with students. He authored several books of poetry and reflections on life as well as a memoir of pastoral ministry. Books and writing materials were always in his backpack. His love of frequenting coffee shops with his books, pen and paper, or most importantly, a friend, was known to all who knew and loved him.

In lieu of flowers, please direct donations to Meals on Wheels Ambleside Senior Center in Gresham, OR https://www.mowp.org/ways-to-give/, or Duke Divinity School in Durham, NC https://www.gifts.duke.edu/divinity.

Bob is survived by his wife, Melanie Marcus, his sons, Lance (Sue) of Bethesda, MD, and Grant (Kristi) of Owasso, OK. Bob leaves four grandchildren, Kathryn (Zach), Andrew, Nicholas (Jennifer), and Sinclaire, and two stepsons, Brett Marcus and Daniel (Caitlin) Marcus. Bob is survived by his sister Barbara Longendyke of Ruby, NY. In addition, Bob is survived by his mother-in-law, Claudell Metzger, sister-in-law Diana (Thomas) McIntire, brother-in-law Tim Metzger, and brother-in-law L. Paul Metzger.

A celebration of Bob's life will be held Saturday, June 13, 11:00am, at Faith United Methodist Church located at 27400 SE Stark Street in Troutdale, Oregon.