The Reverend Milton E. Detterline, 80, pastor of St. Peter United Church of Christ in Knauertown, passed away quietly at home in the early morning hours of April 6.

Rev. Milt, as he was affectionately known by his congregation, came to St. Peter's Church in 1972 on a temporary assignment " and, happily, never left. He was known for the extraordinary care and love he showed to all, for the commonsense wisdom of his sermons, and for his boundless energy and enthusiasm " even as multiple illnesses took their toll in the final months of his life.

"What was striking about Rev. Milt was that he had few casual acquaintances," said St. Peter's Consistory President Dotti Walters. "He was a rare individual in that he quickly became a dear friend to all who came to know him."

While his congregation was small, Reverend Detterline's influence extended far beyond the boundaries of St. Peters Church . Concurrent with his tenure there, from 1981 to 1996 he also served as pastor of St. Matthew UCC Church in Chester Springs , Pa. In addition, he officiated at baptisms, weddings and funerals for hundreds of families throughout the community without official church "homes."

Reverend Detterline was an understated yet determined activist in serving local community needs. The St. Peter Fellowship Hall " named Detterline Hall in his honor " was conceived as a community gathering place, with the church hosting such diverse groups as the Boy Scouts and Alcoholics Anonymous. He had served as president of the Orion Communities, which helps to integrate people with disabilities toward a more meaningful life. He was a founding member of the Coventry-Warwick Ministerium, a group of local churches that joined together to pursue common community interests.

A lifelong devotee of the author, poet and philosopher Henry David Thoreau, Reverend Detterline was a permanent member of the Thoreau Society, and made frequent pilgrimages to Walden Pond for rest and rejuvenation. He travelled widely throughout the world on personal adventures, as well as leading guided tours in 62 countries on five continents. He was an avid writer and was widely published in a range of local and denominational publications. His biography is listed in Who's Who in Religion, Who's Who in America, Who's Who in the World, Community Leaders in America, and Tamaqua Citizen of the Year among others.

Milton E. Detterline was born on November 16, 1929, in Bethlehem, Pa., the son of a Evangelical Congregational Church minister Milton E. Detterline Sr. and his wife, Elizabeth (Ault) Detterline. He grew up in the communities of Kutztown and Philadelphia where his father preached, and graduated from high school in Palmerton, Pa., north of Allentown. He earned a Bachelor's degree from Moravian College in 1951, and his Masters of Divinity from Drew University in1954. In 1968 he participated in a Pastoral Fellowship in Ecumenics at Yale University .

Reverend Detterline served as pastor of Christ Evangelical Congregational Church in Pottsville, Pa., from 1954 to 1958; St. John Evangelical Congregational Church in Allentown, PA from 1958 to 1961, and St. John United Church of Christ in Tamaqua, PA, from 1961 to 1969. From 1969 to 1972 he served as Chaplain, Alumni Director, and Special Assistant to the President of Ursinus College in Collegeville, Pa.

Reverend Detterline is survived by sons James L., Jon S., Peter K., stepdaughter Krishnabai (Aimee Freas), and 4 grandchildren.

Following cremation, a memorial service is scheduled for 11 AM on Saturday, April 17 at St. Peter United Church of Christ, Route 23 in Knauertown, Pa. ( 1920 Ridge Road, Pottstown , PA 19465 ). The family will greet friends after the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are requested in Rev. Milt's memory to the St. Peter's Church Building Fund, c/o St. Peter's UCC Knauertown, PO Box 208 St. Peter's , PA 19470. Online condolences may be offered at www.royersfordfuneralhome.com. Arrangements were entrusted to Cattermole-Klotzbach Funeral Home, Royersford, PA.