ROCKPORT – Rev. Arthur Harris Kolsti Jr., 80, died Friday, June 2, 2006. He was born Oct. 14, 1925, in Boston, Mass. son of Arthur Kolsti and Augusta Johnson. After serving in the 759th FA Battalion during World War II, he returned to attend Harvard University to earn a degree in economics. It was at this time that he also married the love of his life, Josee, whom he met while based in Belgium. After graduating from Harvard, he followed a “calling” he often alluded to, but would never fully share. This subsequently led him to earn an additional degree in theology from Andover Newton Theological school in Newton Center, Mass. Hence, beginning a life of service to others. Arthur was not only a loving husband and father, but a man who cast a brilliant light upon the lives of others, providing guidance, love and wisdom. He was a humanitarian of the highest degree who led his congregations with strength and insight by teaching them the power of love, acceptance and kindness. While in Topeka, Kan., where he served Central Congregational Church during the ’60s and ’70s, he founded, Door Step, a social service that became a much needed resource for those struggling with life’s bitter edge. Door Step exists to this day. He was a community leader who was not afraid of standing up against racism and injustice. He spread hope and joy not only from his pulpit, but also through the media where he spent 10 years on a weekly TV show “You’re Question Please,” in which community members could call in questions regarding their religious dilemmas or issues. After leaving Topeka, Kan. he served congregations in both New Haven, Conn., Little Church on the Green, and finally retiring from Lexington Congregational Church in Lexington, Mass. in the early ’80s. Throughout his ministry, he persevered in being a healer to the hopeless and a voice for the unheard. He also spread his message in four books he authored, published by the CSS Publishing Co. of Lima, Ohio. He, without a doubt, was one of the few steady rocks helping the rest of us cross the river of life. He spent his retirement in contented peace with his beautiful wife, enjoying the greatness of nature and spoiling his beloved pets. We will remember his sweet personality, his incredible sense of humor, his kind demeanor, but will also remember his determined heart, stout and courageous. His family will miss him, his friends will miss him, the world will miss him. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Josee Simone Bertrand, originally from Charleroi, Belgium; and his daughter, Diane Christine Rose, currently living in Oakland, Oregon; two grandchildren, Christopher Sean Bryan and Jennifer Kay Willcott, both currently of Kansas. His talented and beautiful son, Paul Arthur Kolsti predeceased him Dec. 8, 2003. The memorial service is scheduled for 3 p.m. Friday, June 9, at the First Congregational Church, 55 Elm St., Camden. Donations can be made to the First Congregational Church of Camden, in Rev. Kolsti’s memory. Arrangements are under the care of Cremation Services of Maine, 182 Waldo Ave., Belfast.
REV. ARTHUR HARRIS
