TAFEL, Rev. F. Robert Of Needham, age 83, died February 12, 2022 after a long illness. Bob Tafel graduated from Illinois Tech, New Church Theological School, and Andover Newton Theological Seminary. He served the Swedenborgian Church for 54 years. After Washington DC, he came to Swedenborg Chapel in Cambridge, MA and was the current pastor at Church of the Open Word in Newtonville, MA. His unpublished writings reconcile Old and New Testament with Swedenborgian theology in a worship and teaching group participation format. His kindness and sense of humor helped to brighten many tense moments; he was a friend to us all; we can carry on what he brought to the world.
He is survived by Kathy Tafel and granddaughter Tesla Skye Krech of Berlin, Germany, Rev. Jenn Tafel of Lansing, MI, and wife Gretchen.
A celebration of his life and memorial service is planned for later this spring. Please send your memories and contact information to Tafel, P.O. Box 920234, Needham, MA 02492.