Rev Paul Houghton Harbach Jr

Reverend Paul Houghton Harbach, Jr. went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Monday, January 22nd, 2024. He was born on July 16, 1941, in Germantown, PA to Paul and Jean Kalinowski Harbach. He finished high school at Delaware County Christian School, Newton Square, PA. He met Barbara Ferguson, his wife of over 58 years, and they were married in Bryn Mawr, PA on November 25th, 1965. Paul heard the calling from his Lord and Savior to serve Him and was ordained as a pastor in the American Baptist denomination in January 1969 at the 1st Baptist Church in Magnolia, NJ. He graduated from Theological Seminary of the Reformed Episcopal Church in Philadelphia, PA (Master of Divinity), Sterling College in Kansas (Bachelor of Arts), and Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, PA (Master of Divinity). Paul served as the senior pastor at American Baptist churches in Magnolia, NJ (1966-73), Ellwood City, PA (1973-83), Cincinnati, OH (1983-89), and Somerville, NJ (1989-2003). He led youth group backcountry canoe trips and traveled on mission trips to Central America, Haiti, and Russia. Above all else, Paul's passion was helping and counseling people wherever he was, even the weeks preceding his death. Paul retired in 2003 and moved to Oley, PA. In 2013, they moved to Myrtle Beach, SC. Paul enjoyed the outdoors, fishing, stained glass, golfing, shooting billiards, and cultivating orchids. He was president of the Myrtle Beach Orchid Society for 5 years. Paul is survived by his wife, Barbara; son, Drew Harbach (Sharon); daughter, Jennifer Harbach; and four grandchildren (Evan, Emily, Heather, and A.J. Harbach); and his sisters and brother: Carol Harbach, Lil (Richard) Nelson, and David Harbach. Visitation with a Celebration of Life service will be held at 2pm Monday January 29th at 1st Presbyterian Church, 3810 Robert Grissom Parkway in Myrtle Beach, SC. Private grave site service for the family is planned for Hillcrest Cemetery, Conway, SC. Memorials given in lieu of flowers: Haiti Missions Eglise Baptist de Terrier Rouge c/o Rev Apollon Noel Unit 1054 HHH 3170 Airmans Dr Ft Pierce, FL 34946 Russia Missions 171 Second Street Pike Churchville, PA 18966 Goldfinch Funeral Home, Conway Chapel is in charge of arrangements. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Paul Houghton Harbach Jr. please visit our Sympathy Store.

Rev Paul Houghton Harbach Jr

July 16, 1941 - January 22, 2024