Todd Hubbard Trefts
On Monday, Oct. 5, 2009, following a long, valiant battle against cancer, Todd Hubbard Trefts passed away at his home in Sandpoint, Idaho, with his wife at his side. The world is diminished without him.
A Celebration of his Life will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church, Bonners Ferry, Idaho, at 2 p.m., Oct. 24, 2009, with reception following at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, Bonners Ferry.
Officiating will be Rt. Rev. James Waggoner, Episcopal Bishop of the Diocese of Spokane, Wash., and the Rev. Marge Stanley of Sandpoint. Please wear your favorite color.
Todd was born Jan. 29, 1933, in East Aurora New York, second son of Linette Hubbard and John Chilion Trefts. He attended grade school and high school in the Buffalo area, and attended Trinity College, Hartford, Conn., where he graduated in 1955. Todd served in the Army from 1955 through 1957, when he entered Virginia Theological Seminary. In 1961 he graduated with a degree in Sacred Theology. He was ordained as Deacon in 1961, at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul, in the Diocese of Western New York. In 1962 he was ordained to the Priesthood in the Church of Uganda.
In 1956, Todd married Carolyn Ellis in East Aurora, New York. They divorced in 1986. Immediately following graduation in 1961, Todd and his young family moved to England for a year of training, and then to Mbale, and to Mukono, Uganda, to teach at the Bishop Tucker Theological College, now known as Uganda Christian University. He remained in that position until 1969, when the family returned to the United States (although a corner of his heart has always remained there.) The family then moved to Bozeman, Mont., where Todd served as Chaplain at Montana State University. While in Bozeman, he launched several innovative programs — which had the “establishment” shaking their heads, and the students cheering.
In 1987, Todd moved to Maine, serving several small churches there. His health became an issue; and he returned west, moving to Cody, Wyo., and then to Westfir, Ore. In 1998 he officially retired from active clergy service, and in 1999 moved to Sandpoint. In 2001 he married Janet Louise Merrill.
Todd loved the outdoors — hiking, fishing, sailing, cycling; he was passionate about honoring and protecting “this fragile Earth, our island home.” He could build anything, and completed his second recumbent bike shortly before his death. His hand-made rifle stocks, bowls and knives are well known. Even with failing health, he has been perfecting his crafts, and cherishing the love and joy he found in every day of his life.
Todd is survived and will be missed by his four children, their spouses and their children: Gwen Trefts & Tom Olesby, of Salt Lake City; sons Robbie and Hubbard Coe; Mark and Pam Trefts of Coeur d’Alene and their children, Ashlee Lent, Brandon Lind and Bailey, Nic and Eli Trefts; Susan Trefts and Jeff Lehman of Eugene Oregon; Valerie and Tim Trefts of Fairbanks, Alaska, and their daughters, Carley and Tatum. He will also be missed by his three step children, their spouses and their children: Tom and Martha Roeder of Canby, Oregon; Karin Wallen of Great Falls, her children Willie, Bekka and Elizabeth; and her grandchild, Becky; Ellen and Scot Pfalzgraff, of Calgary, and their children, Will and Katie. He is survived by his wife, Janet, who will miss him the most. Todd was preceded in death by his brother, Hubbard Trefts, of Hancock, Maine.
Memorial suggestions: Episcopal Relief & Development, PO Box 7058, Merrifield, VA. 22116-70058. Or Musicians for World Harmony, P.O. Box 892, Ithaca, N.Y. 14851. Or to Hospice.
Lakeview Funeral Home, Sandpoint, Idaho, is handling the arrangements. Please visit www. lakeviewfuneral.com and sign his online memorial.