1939-2013
Hugh W. Sanborn was born in Albany, N.Y. He received a B.A. in Psychology from Muhlenberg College, and B.D. and S.T.M. degrees from Andover Newton Theological School. He was ordained in the United Church of Christ in 1965 and served as chaplain intern at Worcester State Hospital. He received a Ph.D. in Religion and Personality at the University of Iowa in 1975. His dissertation, Mental-Spiritual Health Models: An Analysis of the Models of Boisen, Hiltner and Clinebell , was published by University Press. He edited and contributed to two books: Celebrating Passages in the Church and Celebrating the Prophetic Tradition in the Church for the 21st Century , published by Chalice Press.
As Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Department of Religion at Rice University in Houston, Hugh taught a popular course in Psychology of Religion, helping students to look at the psychology of faith development in others and in themselves. In 1980, he was appointed Director of the United Campus Ministry of Greater Houston, serving the United Church of Christ, the Presbyterian Church USA, and the Disciples of Christ until retirement. Hugh was also a Licensed Professional Counselor in Texas, held Diplomat status with the American Psychotherapy Association and was a member of the American Academy of Religion, the National Campus Ministry Association, the Pastoral Care Network for Social Responsibility, and the Texas Associations for Counseling and Development and for Marriage and Family Counseling. After moving to Fort Collins in 2003, Hugh taught several courses in the Department of Religion at Colorado State University and continued his counseling ministry through Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran and Heart of the Rockies Disciples of Christ Churches.
Hugh was a life-long activist and advocate for peace and justice. He was the prime mover in establishing the Peace Studies Center at the University of Houston and the Interfaith Forum on Global Issues that was later incorporated into the Houston Chapter of Fellowship of Reconciliation. In Fort Collins, he served in various leadership capacities for the Northern Colorado Chapter of the United Nations Association and The Abrahamic Trialogue group and actively supported the Interfaith Council.
Hugh deeply loved his family and friends and had a passion for tennis and fishing. He is survived by his wife, Barbara, his children Elisabeth A. and Daniel W. Sanborn, his grandchildren Hanna and Samuel Molano Sanborn and Elyse and Reid Sanborn, his brothers Mark and Gerald Sanborn, a large extended family and many friends. His legacy will live on through the lives of those whom he has touched.
A memorial service will be held at Plymouth Congregational Church UCC, 916 W. Prospect Rd., Fort Collins on Saturday, November 2, 2013 at 11 a.m. The family requests that contributions to honor Hugh be made to Habitat for Humanity, Heifer Project International, Pathways Hospice Fort Collins, or a charity of your choice in care of Bohlender Funeral Chapel, 121 W. Olive, Fort Collins, Colorado 80524. Friends may send condolences to the family at bohlenderfuneralchapel.com