Henry "Hank" Ackermann
December 26, 1937 — November 1, 2015
ACKERMANN, Henry F.
Henry, also known as Hank, 77, passed away at his home in Boynton Beach on November 1, 2015 after courageously living with Parkinson’s disease for many years. He lived a life devoted to service; service to his country, his community, and to his God. Born in Passaic, NJ on December 26, 1937, he was well educated, earned three master’s degrees, and later a doctorate. He entered the United States Army in 1962 where he served as a Chaplain for 26 years with the First Calvary, serving in many places including Germany and Vietnam. He wrote a book entitled, He Was Always There: U.S. Army Chaplain Ministry in the Vietnam Conflict. While in the service he headed up the Coordinator Media Ministry of the Armed Forces Network and broadcast a daily message each morning for the troops. During these years he also ran in many marathons including the Boston Marathon and the New York Marathon. In 1996 he was chosen to participate in the Olympic Torch Relay and ran his leg of the relay through Boynton Beach. He was honorably discharged in 1988 with the rank of Colonel receiving many distinguished medals and honors. After leaving the Army he served in the United Church of Christ as a pastor in Toledo, OH, Boynton Beach, Leesburg, and Lake Park, Florida. While at the Boynton church, he was instrumental in setting up the Community Caring Center, an outreach program in the city where he became the Executive Director. He believed that one who professes faith in God must not only talk the talk, but walk the walk. He did this well. He was always proud that the Community Caring Center was still helping others today. In 1998 he took a different road for the ministry to serve as the Neighborhood Specialist for the City of Boynton Beach. He loved being a mediator, helping to solve problems, and offering positive feedback. Hank loved to collect German nutcrackers, smokers and steins. He loved all music. He loved everything Christmas. He loved everything Disney. He loved a good meal. He loved movies. He loved his family who are missing him today. He is survived by his loving wife, Sara and her family, his children, Lisa Morgan (Carl), Mark Ackermann (Jessica), Kurt Ackermann (Susan), nine grandchildren, two great grandchildren, and his brother, Ernie (Lynn). A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, November 7th at 11:00 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 235 SW 6th Avenue, Boynton Beach, FL 33435. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Boynton Beach Community Caring Center, 145 NE 4th Avenue, Boynton Beach, FL 33435 or His Children, PO Box 7902, Paducah, KY 42002 (this is his son’s mission in El Salvador).
Henry, also known as Hank, 77, passed away at his home in Boynton Beach on November 1, 2015 after courageously living with Parkinson’s disease for many years. He lived a life devoted to service; service to his country, his community, and to his God. Born in Passaic, NJ on December 26, 1937, he was well educated, earned three master’s degrees, and later a doctorate. He entered the United States Army in 1962 where he served as a Chaplain for 26 years with the First Calvary, serving in many places including Germany and Vietnam. He wrote a book entitled, He Was Always There: U.S. Army Chaplain Ministry in the Vietnam Conflict. While in the service he headed up the Coordinator Media Ministry of the Armed Forces Network and broadcast a daily message each morning for the troops. During these years he also ran in many marathons including the Boston Marathon and the New York Marathon. In 1996 he was chosen to participate in the Olympic Torch Relay and ran his leg of the relay through Boynton Beach. He was honorably discharged in 1988 with the rank of Colonel receiving many distinguished medals and honors. After leaving the Army he served in the United Church of Christ as a pastor in Toledo, OH, Boynton Beach, Leesburg, and Lake Park, Florida. While at the Boynton church, he was instrumental in setting up the Community Caring Center, an outreach program in the city where he became the Executive Director. He believed that one who professes faith in God must not only talk the talk, but walk the walk. He did this well. He was always proud that the Community Caring Center was still helping others today. In 1998 he took a different road for the ministry to serve as the Neighborhood Specialist for the City of Boynton Beach. He loved being a mediator, helping to solve problems, and offering positive feedback. Hank loved to collect German nutcrackers, smokers and steins. He loved all music. He loved everything Christmas. He loved everything Disney. He loved a good meal. He loved movies. He loved his family who are missing him today. He is survived by his loving wife, Sara and her family, his children, Lisa Morgan (Carl), Mark Ackermann (Jessica), Kurt Ackermann (Susan), nine grandchildren, two great grandchildren, and his brother, Ernie (Lynn). A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, November 7th at 11:00 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 235 SW 6th Avenue, Boynton Beach, FL 33435. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Boynton Beach Community Caring Center, 145 NE 4th Avenue, Boynton Beach, FL 33435 or His Children, PO Box 7902, Paducah, KY 42002 (this is his son’s mission in El Salvador).
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