May, 2005
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Obituary: Howard Clinebell, Beloved Professor, Pastoral Counseling Pioneer

CLINEBELL, Howard John, Jr.

Howard Clinebell died peacefully on April 13, 2005. He was born in Springfield, Illinois in 1922, graduated from DePauw University in Indiana, Garrett Seminary in Illinois, and earned a doctorate from Columbia University in New York. He met Charlotte while both were in school; they were married in 1945.

Howard was a Methodist minister for churches in Indiana, Illinois, New York and California. He then taught pastoral psychology and counseling for three decades at the School of Theology in Claremont, California. He was the Co-Director of the Pastoral Counseling and Training Center, now The Clinebell Institute. His former students, many of whom he worked and kept in touch with, are all over the United States and the world. He and Charlotte retired to Santa Barbara.

Howard wrote, co-authored or edited over 20 books on various subjects in his field, and traveled to every state in the United States and to more than 60 countries of the world, teaching and speaking (as well as hiking and climbing mountains) throughout his professional life. He was a founding member, the first president, and a guiding light of the American Association of Pastoral Counselors, and founder of the International Pastoral Care Network for Social Responsibility. He spoke out constantly and consistently on issues of justice, peace, and protection of the environment.

Howard is survived by Charlotte, his spouse of nearly 60 years, his children John, Donald and Susan, their spouses Jomarie, Stephanie, and Reanon; grandchildren Jamie, Andrew, Brennan, Tessa, and Nevan; great-granddaughter Madisyn; his sister Miriam Clinebell, and his brother Paul Clinebell.

Howard lived a long life of learning, teaching, traveling, speaking and writing. His impact upon former students the world over, friends and, most of all, upon his family will last forever.

A memorial celebration will be held at Claremont School of Theology on Saturday, May 14, 1:30 p.m., in Kresge Chapel.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to The Clinebell Institute, 211 W. Foothill Blvd., Claremont, CA 91711, or the Santa Barbara Rape Crisis Center, 111 N. Milpas St., Santa Barbara, CA 93103.