Obituary of Phill Carlos Archbold

Rev. Dr. Phill Carlos Archbold, 76, of Brethren Village, Lancaster, PA, formerly of Brooklyn, NY, was promoted to Glory on Monday morning, October 1, 2012 at Brethren Village following a brief illness. Born in Colón, Panama, he was the son of the late Jaroth and Sophronia Stephens Archbold. Brother Phill Carlos was an energetic preacher and prominent leader in the Church of the Brethren. He served many years as Associate Pastor for Hispanic & Special Ministries in the Brooklyn (NY) First Church of the Brethren where he was still a member. Phill Carlos retired from the Brooklyn First Church in 2002 and was called back to serve the church in an interim capacity. He was a popular evangelist and renewal speaker. Prior to entering the ministry, he was a health care administrator for Harlem Hospital Center, and has been recognized for his expertise in health issues. During his time in Brooklyn, he founded The Positive Place, a drop-in center and library-lounge for persons with HIV/AIDS and was active in ministry to those afflicted with AIDS, daily answering calls of many in the community needing shelter, food, or clothing. He was also employed by Prospect Hospital, Bronx, NY as Director of Personnel and Community Relations and Wyckoff Heights Hospital in Brooklyn as Employment Manager. Professionally, he was a member of many national health associations, including the American Public Health Association and the Federacion Latino-Americana de Hospitales, Mexico. In 1990, he was chosen as Group magazine's "Youth Leader of the Year" and received many other awards recognizing his service to the Brooklyn community. He is also listed in the 8th edition of "Men of Achievement", Cambridge, England and is listed in the "Biological Directory of the American Public health Association." A former member of the Atlantic Northeast District Board, he held many positions in the church, including serving as moderator of the Church of the Brethren Annual Conference 2001. During the Vietnam War, he served as a Staff Sergeant in the United States Army serving as personal secretary to General William Westmoreland. He received the Presidential Citation from President Lyndon B. Johnson as well as numerous citations, awards, and medals. Phill Carlos studied at the Calabar College of Theology, Jamaica, West Indies and was a graduate of Clarksville (TN) School of Theology with both a Masters and Doctorate in Religious Education. He is survived by a brother, Jaroth Archbold, husband of Eleonora, Colón, Panama; four sisters, Ann Jones, St. Louis, MO, Edda Meinardus, wife of Jurgen, Eugene, OR, Che-Che Archbold, San Francisco, CA, and Alicia Archbold, Valencia, CA; nephews, nieces and cousins. He was preceded in death by a sister, Olive Petit, and two brothers, Victor and José. Although Phill Carlos had no children of his own, many considered him their father. Special thanks to those at Brethren Village that provided compassionate care for Phill Carlos during his last days. A memorial service will be held on Sunday afternoon, October 28, 2012 beginning promptly at 4:00 pm at Lititz Church of the Brethren, 300 West Orange Street, Lititz, PA with Pastor Robert Kettering officiating. There will be no viewing. Private interment will be in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA. Guests are invited to a light reception in the Family Life Center of the church immediately following the service. Kindly omit flowers. If desired, contributions may be made in his memory to Brooklyn First Church of the Brethren, 358 60th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11220, Brethren Village, Good Samaritan Fund, 3001 Lititz Pike, Lancaster, PA 17606, or to an AIDS organization of the donor's choice. For additional information or to watch a webcast of the service any time after October 29, visit www.spencefuneralservices.com.