In Memory . . . Rev. Walter Andrew Moulton (1936-2006)
Rev. Moulton was born on March 19, 1936 in Kennebunk, Maine. He earned an AB in Government at Tufts University in 1958, and a MSEd.in Counselor Education from the University of Southern Maine in 1979. After marrying Paula Thayer in 1959, he served in the Navy, and then taught civics and history at Kennebunk High School for 22 years. Retiring from teaching, he attended Andover Newton Theological Seminary where he completed his M.Div in 1989 and was ordained at The First Parish Unitarian Univeralist Church in Kennebunk, Maine in March, 1987. From 1987-93 he served as Minister at the Spindletop Unitarian Church in Beaumont Texas. He then served the Unitarian Fellowship of Fredericton, New Brunswick and the First Church of Houlton, Maine as Interim Extension Minister for a year.
He was Interim Minister at the First Parish of Groton Mass. from 1994 to 1996 and served as Interim Minister at the Unitarian Universalist Church of the Restoration in Philadelphia, PA. from 1996 to 1997. In 1997 he became Interim Minister at the East Shore Unitarian Universalist Church of Kirkland, Ohio, and in 1998 was called to All Souls Unitarian Universalist Church in Watertown, NY. He retired from the ministry in 2003, after which he and Paula returned home to Kennebunk.
Rev. Moulton focused on assisting congregations to develop their churches as communities in which those who dedicate their lives to nurturing others may come to be nurtured themselves. He was alert to both the needs and contributions of the frail and elderly. He was active in peace activities and a supporter of the National Organization for Women (NOW). In 1992 while Rev. Moulton was Minister at the Spindletop Unitarian Church in Beaumont, Texas, his congregation established their AIDS Care Team. Rev. Moulton was a board member for the Triangle AIDS network, the AIDS Consortium of Southeast Texas and the Triangle Interfaith Network.
Rev. Moulton read and wrote poetry for his own enjoyment, published several poems in the Coast Singer of the York County Coast Star in Kennebunk, and collected old-time gospel tapes. He was active in the outdoors, gardened and enjoyed visiting his grandchildren.
Walter Moulton is survived by his brothers and their wives, John and Fran Grace of Kennebunk and Jim and Louise Moulton of Wells; his wife Paula of Kennebunk; his daughter Valerie Berg and her husband Tom of Vienna, Virginia, and granddaughters Elizabeth Ann Berg, Kristina Marie Berg, and Teresa Lynn Berg; his daughter Barbara Moulton and her husband Jim Hannawalt of San Francisco, CA., and grandson Jesse Forrest Hannawalt and granddaughter Madelyn Grace Moulton; and many beloved nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.
Rev. Moulton’s memorial service was held November 11, 2006 in Kennebunk.
Messages of Remembrance may be sent to:
Paula Thayer-Moulton
3 Hidden Lane
Kennebunk ME 04043