How Did a Baptist Minister end up in Westminster’s Memorial Garden?
It’s a lovely story.
Reverend Gundlach was married to our own Arlene Gundlach for 57 years, and he was the brother-in-law of Dan Laliberte, who’s also a beloved longtime member of our community.
Russ, as he was known to his family and friends, was an ABC minister for over 30 years. The American Baptist Church is one of the largest and most racially inclusive Protestant Christian denominations in the United States, with roots dating back to the 1600s. He served in four different locations: Framingham, Mass (8 years), Camden, New Jersey (3 years), New London, CT (6 years) and for 16 years in Bronxville, New York.
As the Minister in Bronxville, he was proud to participate in the “Midnight Run,” driving a van outfitted with food and other items that his congregants distributed late at night to homeless people sleeping on the streets in his city. He considered that service to be one of the highlights of his ministerial career.
Russ’s father was also a minister. He served at First Baptist Church in Warwick. Arlene was a member of his church and met Russ through youth group activities. Arlene recalls that their first “real date” was at Rocky Point Amusement Park. They were married after he graduated from Barrington College in 1965. Russ felt called to become a minister and enrolled at Andover Newton Theological School in Newton, MA where he received his Bachelor of Divinity Degree and later his Doctor of Ministry.
Arlene and Russ had four children, Russell Jr., Emily, David and Beth. Each one was born while they were serving in different churches! They also have four wonderful grandchildren. Russell, Jr. wrote that his dad was a wonderful father who loved his family and really enjoyed throwing a baseball with his sons. (Of course, he was a lifelong Red Sox fan!) He was also an avid reader and loved going camping whenever the opportunity arose.
After Russ died, Arlene moved to West Warwick to be close to her children and siblings. She started coming to Westminster with Dan and felt very comfortable here. She’s a beloved member of our congregation and can be found helping in the office every week.