Luther Van Ummersen, 89, passed away peacefully at home, on Monday, December 2, 2024, in Prescott, AZ. He was preceded in death by his wife, Margaret (Gilchrist) Van Ummersen.
Born in Boston, Massachusetts, he was the son of the late Edward T, and Hazel F. (Freeman) Van Ummersen.
In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by his sister Judith Van Ummersen.
Luther graduated from High School in Waltham, Massachusetts. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Tufts University. He served in the Army at Fort Belvoir, earned a Good Conduct Medal, and was honorably discharged. He completed 2 years at Bentley College of Accounting and Finance, and became a Certified Public Accountant.
He started his public accounting career at Coopers and Lybrand, then worked as a comptroller and financial officer for several colleges in the Northeast, including Middlebury, Wells, and Swarthmore. After he retired, he continued to work part-time jobs, helping small companies set up simple accounting systems. He also taught accounting at a local prison, and at a local college.
Luther and Margaret lived in Chestnut Hill, PA for nearly 30 years. They attended the Presbyterian Church in Mount Airy, PA, and served in the life of the community, including helping the homeless.
Athletic from a young age, Luther earned money as a golf caddy. He played sports in high school and college. He played golf, tennis, squash, basketball, and ice hockey in his adult years. He continued to play squash into his early 80s.
Luther loved gathering with family and friends, and visiting beautiful places (Barnegat Light, Long Beach Island, Monhegan Island). He found joy and beauty through nature, art, music, dance, community theater, musical theater, playing cards (Bridge) and reciting poetry.
Surviving children are:
Betsy Van Ummersen Slack and her husband Craig Eister Slack, of Silver Spring, Maryland;
Stephen Edward Van Ummersen, of Prescott, Arizona;
Margo J Van Ummersen, of Eugene, Oregon;
Alastair McFarlane and his wife Sonja Walti, of Washington, DC;
Linda McFarlane and her partner Kim, of Los Angeles, California;
and five grandchildren, one great grandchild, and one great, great grandchild.
A beloved father, grandfather, and friend, Luther will be dearly missed.
The family is immensely grateful to all family and friends who loved and cared for Luther near the end of his life, and for at-home hospice care during the final month of his life.