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.
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