GUNNAR URANG

MIDDLEBURY — Gunnar Urang passed away on Feb. 19, 2025, in Middlebury, Vt., just shy of his 96th birthday.

Gunnar was born in 1929 on Staten Island, N.Y. His parents, Olai and Anna, were Norwegian immigrants. After earning a Ph.D. from the University of Chicago, Gunnar taught Literature at the College of Wooster in Ohio before moving to Kean College in New Jersey. In 1977, he moved to Vermont and joined a group of fellow idealists who had recently started the Vermont Institute of Community Involvement (VICI), which became Burlington College. Gunnar was an inspiring and passionate teacher and, as an administrator, was a major force in securing accreditation for the college.

He and his wife Sarah bought a small house in Bristol Notch and threw themselves into the country life, raising chickens and pigs (originally called “Christmas” and “Thanksgiving” until the children insisted on kinder names), learning to make wine and maple syrup, and chopping endless cords of wood.

After many years of teaching, he was called to ordained ministry in the Episcopal Church and served at Trinity Church, Rutland and as Rector of St. Mark’s Church, Springfield and Gethsemane Church, Proctorsville. He is remembered for his compelling and erudite preaching, his attentive pastoral ministry, and his commitment to social justice. He was active in diocesan affairs, particularly as dean of the Diocesan Study Program and as a delegate to the Episcopal national convention.  In retirement, Gunnar was a devoted member of St. Barnabas Church in Norwich, where he was a reliable bass in the choir and enthusiastic griller at the parish picnic.

Gunnar was a man of many talents. He was passionate about music and played violin throughout his life. He volunteered in the ILEAD adult education program, where he taught popular classes on poetry and philosophy. He enjoyed traveling to Europe and the Middle East, and was a keen gardener, a voracious reader, and a notorious punster.

He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Sarah Horton. He is also survived by his children Susan, Timothy, Rebecca, Alison (and her wife Sarah), and John (and his partner J. Schuberth) as well as numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his first wife, Sylvia and their daughter Sally. He was also predeceased by his three sisters, Thelma, Joyce, and Doreen.

There will be a memorial service at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, Middlebury, on Saturday, May 3, at 2 p.m.

Gunnar’s family would like to thank the attentive and dedicated staff of the Residence at Otter Creek, especially those in the Memory Care unit; the caring community at Elderly Services; Becky Shepard; and Addison County Home Health and Hospice, who provided skillful and compassionate care in his final months. ◊