Harry Bollback Memorial Service
Saturday, April 10, 2021 – 2:00 PM
Wyrtzen Center – Word of Life Bible Institute Pottersville, New York
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9
Harry Bollback January 20, 1925 – January 13, 2021
Harry was born to Anthony and Elizabeth Bollback on January 20, 1925, in Brooklyn, New York.
Harry met Jesus at the age of 16 at Bible camp, thanks to the influence of his Sunday School teacher. In December 1941, Harry met one of the most influential and important figures in his life, Word of Life Founder, Jack Wyrtzen. Harry’s strong sense of patriotism led to his desire to serve his country, so after graduating high school, he enlisted in the Marine Corps. In World War II he fought in the battles of Peleliu and Okinawa and was sent to China as part of a peacekeeping force before returning to the United States when the war ended. After returning home, Harry resumed his friendship with Jack Wyrtzen and serving with Word of Life. In 1946, Harry met the love of his life, Mildred “Millie” Winkler. Millie had also begun working for Word of Life, and she and Harry immediately hit it off. Harry and Millie were married for 72 years until her death on January 7, 2021. In 1949, Harry and Millie’s daughter, Linda, was born, and in 1950 Harry graduated from the Philadelphia School of the Bible. Later that year they were accepted as missionaries with the South American Indian Mission, and in December they sailed from New York Harbor to share the Gospel with unreached tribal people in Brazil. Harry and Millie’s son, Larry, was born in 1952, and later that year they were joined by one of Harry’s dearest friends, Harold Reimer, serving in the interior of Brazil. After a furlough in 1955, during which Elizabeth, Harry and Millie’s third child, was born, the Bollbacks returned to Brazil this time to start the ministry of Word of Life camps. In Atibaia, Harry and Harold Reimer began a Word of Life Youth Camp, followed shortly by a Word of Life Inn for adults. In 1958, Harry and Millie’s youngest daughter, Suely, was born. After returning to the United States in 1969, Harry became the Co-Director of Word of Life and started the International Ministries outreach. Thanks to the blessing of God and the humble service of a “simple kid from Brooklyn”, Word of Life is now in 81 countries around the world.
Harry also had an incredible love for music and wrote many Christian songs and musicals that were performed to millions of people around the world, sharing the good news of the Gospel. Harry was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and friend to thousands around the world. He is survived by his sister, Elizabeth Frair, son, Larry and his wife, Cindi, his daughter, Elizabeth and her husband, John (Nelson), his youngest daughter, Suely and her husband, Brad (Cecil), his son-in-law Rick Warken, 11 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. He joins his beloved wife, Millie (1927-2021), and his eldest daughter Linda (Warken, 1949-2016) in the arms of his Heavenly Father. Harry was a proud member of VFW Post 5513 and American Legion Post 964 in Chestertown, New York. He was buried with full military honors along with his wife, Millie, on Tuesday, January 19, at the Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery, Saratoga Springs, New York. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Bollback Missionary Fund. Harry and Millie created this fund to bless and help missionaries, and it has been used to fill financial gaps for decades in Word of Life ministries around the world.
Suely (Bollback) Cecil, on behalf of the entire family, offers a heartfelt thank you and extends the deepest respects to Linda and Rick, Elizabeth and John and Larry and Cindi for the extraordinary care and devotion given to our dad, grandfather and great-grandfather in these last years of his life. His words . . . “I could not have done this without them.”
Robin Noel Jewell In Majesty He Will Come Rich Andrews Arise Video Presentation on the Life of Harry Bollback Welcome Larry Bollback VFW and American Legion Presentation Comments Don Lough, Jr. Comments (Video) Don Wyrtzen Congregational Song Wonderful Words of Life – Led by Tom Phillips Comments from Family Elizabeth Nelson (Video) Rick Warken (Video) Comments from Friends John Reimer Dave Dorman (Video) Ray Adams (Video) Congregational Song My Jesus, I Love Thee – Led by Tom Phillips Comments Ray Pritchard Message (Video) Erwin Lutzer Comments and Prayer Wendell Calder (Video) Comments and Song Introduction Larry Bollback Rich Andrews, Robin Noel Jewell, Micah Melville – Hold Forth the Word Congregational Song Holding Forth the Word of Life – Led by Tom Phillips
Interment (Video) Closing Remarks Larry Bollback
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