William Gary Kobs

William Gary Kobs

December 04, 1932 - January 23, 2022

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Obituary

MADISON - The Rev. William Gary Kobs, age 89, died on Sunday, Jan. 23, 2022.   Gary, the son of Herman and Frances (Wendling) Kobs, was born in Lansing, Mich. Raised and educated through the first year of college in Detroit, he graduated from Capital University and Trinity Lutheran Seminary in Columbus, Ohio. He was ordained into the ministry of the Lutheran Church (ALC, TALC, and ELCA) on June 15, 1958.

Ordination used to be called a ‘peculiar’ office. What other vocation permits you to baptize little tykes as well as adults (more than 550 persons over the years), take the Eucharist to the sick and shut-in, and be paid for it? That’s peculiar all right-one of a kind.

Gary was baptized in Zion Lutheran Church, Appleton, on Jan. 4, 1934. Baptism became most important to him. God’s adoption defined him. Throughout a pastoral ministry of more than 64 years, Baptism became the central theme of his life, preaching, and ministry. He was accused of being able to find and speak of God’s grace in every passage of the Bible assigned in the lectionary. The accusation obviously proved true. Over all of the years, his bishops were especially gracious and caring, in good times and tough times.

While God’s presence in the daily office sustained him personally, the Worship life of the congregation-imaginative, joyful, and faithful to the Lutheran Tradition-was very primary. Gary was blessed in being the liturgical leader and teacher in many settings; blessed also in being able to serve with some wonderful musicians, Arlyn Fuerst, Bruce Bengtson, Andrew Schaeffer, and Eldon Balko, the most gifted and cherished of them all.

He loved all kinds of music (please note that ‘rap’ and ‘heavy metal’ are omitted because they are not music). And to sing all kinds. The sacred literature and popular songs. Choral and solo. Great works with the Master Singers of Milwaukee and the Heinrich Schuetz Group in Madison; along with the beautiful, sad cowboy songs with the Grandsons of the Pioneers and the fun of becoming Emile DeBecque in South Pacific. Beverly Sills, William Warfield, Renee Fleming, Bryn Terfel, and so many others were great; but then, so were Frank, Linda, Tony, Melissa, Willie, and so many more. Then there were movies, all kinds. Live, filmed, televised performances. Books, so many books, of all kinds.

Gary could find humor in almost anything and God’s presence in everything. He was an unrepentant letter writer over the years, and amazed that some people kept his letters, some of them typed, some scrawled. Son, Jeff, saved all of his, bound them and labeled them Letters from Home. Very special to him was his Seminary Class of ’58, many of whom made up “the Boys of Spring,” getting together in Vero Beach for 24 years straight.

As a Detroiter and a fan of the Tigers and Lions, Gary was still able to root for the Brewers and the Packers for 14 games each season-but only 14.

Throughout his life, the Kingdom was the most important part of living. Jesus Christ was his Savior and Lord. The Apostle Paul referred to himself as a “bondservant” of Jesus-even stronger than that, a “slave” of the Master. That pretty well sums up Gary’s commitment to the Lord and the Church and his commitment to aim for excellence in all things. Soli Deo Gloria!

His family was ever so beloved, so gracious to him. Jeffrey with Kathryn and their children, Jessica and Ian. Douglas and Lisa. His “adopted” family, Apryl Melodee with Doug, Darryl with Kathy, Lauralyn with her children, Elena and Joulian. His former wife, Betty. And always-always!-precious Miriam, who loved him as he loved her. Miriam, who was always there, close, with each other even in the Shadowlands…

A memorial funeral Eucharist will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022, at LUTHER MEMORIAL CHURCH, 1021 University Avenue, Madison (Parking available underneath Granger Hall near Brooke St. Parking for those needing closer access may park in the Luther Memorial underground garage, access off Mills St.). Interment will take place at Luther Memorial Columbarium. Visitation will be held at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Saturday.


Memorials may be made to Luther Memorial Church Foundation or to the Trinity Lutheran Church Foundation. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.


Gunderson East

Funeral & Cremation Care

5203 Monona Drive

(608) 221- 5420




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Phil Hull
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He was a giant, not just in physical stature but also in his heart. William Gary Kobs loved language (he taught me five dollar words like “oilily lugubrious”) and he was ruthless around the Scrabble board! He loved adventure and travel. He adored my sister which endeared him to us. His love of music and the performing arts were legendary…I will always treasure his rendition of “Old Man River.” I shall miss him but I will always treasure those extraordinary times we shared…he was my brother(in law) and my friend. Love you, “Ol Gar”
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V. Wildermuth
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Gary was a talented man who loved and served the Triune God throughout his lifetime. Gary was the major influence in my attending seminary. It indeed has been a God given privilege and pleasure to call him Friend for close to 35 years. Ol Gar rest in the arms of Jesus Christ faithful servant.
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Denise Howard
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Jeff, I really enjoyed meeting and singing with your dad. He was so proud of your hard work and love for your patients. I know you will miss him dearly. I am sorry your heart is breaking-I also know God will heal your pain. Chris and Denise
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BKobs
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Thought I’d share a quick view of Pastor Gary‘s journey from Seminary to his retirement. This was written 2008 for his 50th anniversary of ordination: “I salute that tall, thin, newly-minted, so-young Lutheran Pastor with horn-rimmed glasses, who served his first church as interim in Indian Village of Detroit while awaiting his assignment as an ELCA mission pastor, with responsibility for doing everything it takes to establish a new church from the ground up, working with only a small core of potential members at the start. (Interesting that Detroit was Gary's hometown! ) From Detroit, his Call sent him to Ohio to develop a mission church near Toledo OH—Providence Lutheran Church, now a thriving congregation of 400. A few years later, he accepted a Call to a small town in Wisconsin. He called it “Camelot.” He learned to love small town life as he served at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Richland Center. Next he was called from the comfort and familiarity of “Camelot”—quite unsuspecting—into a valley of strife during the Viet Nam era. (Whitewater WI, First English) Univ student protestors, Old Main bldg. burned, tempers flaring. Not yet 40 years old, he was forced to learn the hard way how to minister to a divided church and a divided town. A few years later, not a moment too soon, came a blessed reprieve. His Call offered “Camelot #2” in the big city—Milwaukee’s Kingo Lutheran. Then in 1981 another surprise! The Holy Spirit had yet one more Call for this veteran Pastor, nearing a half-century of service. Fortune smiled! Mature & experienced, he was finally able to minister in a city that had always been at top of his Wish-List of places to live and serve—Madison, Wisconsin. . . at Trinity Lutheran, renown for its beautiful music and its superb Minister of Music, Arlyn Fuerst, Congratulations, Pastor WGKobs, on your 50th Anniversary of Ordination. (1-29-2022 I assume he is now singing with the Heavenly Hosts & absolutely loving it! For anyone curious to see photos & get a full sense of Gary' s life journey, just google the churches' websites. The mission church he established in Ohio has an absolutely beautiful , non-traditional stained glass chancel area. The other churches are beautiful also.)
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BKobs
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Ann Walker
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Dear all friends , family, church brothers and sisters who have had the privilege of being guided by, living life with Pastor Kobs. I was a member of St John's Lutheran Church in Richland Center while he was pastor. He was my confirmation teacher and I still have and read the Lutheran book of Prayer. His confirmation verse written to me inside the cover, continues to inspire and lead me. I send heartfelt condolences to the entire family and all who loved him, or whose lives were touched by him. QEPD Que en paz descansa. may he rest in peace. I give thanks for his life, his influence, his musical gifting--always remembered and never forgotten. Ann Ulrich I share in this loss and send heartfelt prayers.

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