Henry and Pat Greenawald
WARNING – This is not a fairy tale. But it reads like one!
Pat and Henry Greenawald first met in seventh grade when they were seated next to each other in band. That was nearly 80 years ago in a small town in Berks County.
The first impressions were divided. “I thought she was a nuisance,” said Henry.
But around ninth grade, Henry thought Pat was looking “pretty cute” but then her family moved to a different school district. He invited her back to his 10th grade dance.
After graduation, Pat moved to Philadelphia to study to become a nurse. Meanwhile, Henry stayed closer to home and enrolled at Albright College to begin studies to become a doctor.
Fate intervened when Pat’s then-boyfriend couldn’t accompany her to a formal dance. Pat needed a date! Luckily, Henry was available to attend with her.
Soon after, Pat took a position as a camp counselor/nurse in New Hampshire. It seems the camp was looking for a golf instructor who could shoot a par 70. Without thinking – and without knowing anything at all about golf – she immediately suggested Henry. The rest, they say, is history.
They became a married couple on September 3, 1955. Yes, that’s right, they just celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary.
In the 1950s, the Doctor Draft was instituted in response to the Korean War, compelling male physicians under 50 to register for mandatory military service or Public Health Service roles. Henry chose Public Health Service and he and Pat, along with their first daughter Debbie, moved to an Indian reservation – Fort Belknap near Harlem, Montana.
They were there for two plus years and soon their son, Mark, was born in Montana. Leaving Montana, they returned to Harrisburg for an additional year of training and the addition of another daughter, Susan.
Dr. Greenawald then entered a family practice with two other physicians located on Locust Lane near the former Central Dauphin High School.
All three children have very accomplished careers serving and caring for others. Mark is a family physician, Debbie is a nurse and retired head of a university nursing system, and Susan is a registered nurse and diabetic nurse specialist. The Greenawalds are also grandparents of seven grandchildren.
The Greenawalds were originally confirmed in the Evangelical and Reformed Church (which is now the UCC). Although they joked that they have been Presbyterians once, Methodists twice before moving on to the United Church of Christ.
Both have been very active in the church. Henry served as CPUCC Council President twice and was a substitute teacher for the men’s Sunday School class and 3M’s class. He was also the Chair of the Board of the UCC Church Home Board of the old Penn Central Conference. Central Pennsylvania Board of Church Homes.
Pat was the second woman ever elected to Council. She was part of the founding team for the Crèche Festival, which started small but eventually included over 500 nativity sets from CPUCC members and people from the surrounding churches. She enjoyed singing in the church choir for over 50 years.
The couple remember all the wonderful times spent at CPUCC for nearly 60 years now and have fond memories of being members of the 3M Sunday School class.
About eight years ago, the Greenawalds decided to move to Messiah Lifeways in Mechanicsburg where they participate in many activities. Both are 92-years-old but continue to be active members of CPUCC and make the trip to church as many Sundays as the weather permits.
They also want everyone to know they are loyal fans of both the Phillies and the Eagles.
If you ever have the chance to spend time with this inspiring couple, don’t miss it.
They truly are the epitome of a fairy tale.
FUN FACT – Pat served as a tour hostess for educational opportunities which was founded by a Methodist minister to provide educational opportunities throughout the world for ministers and their families. It was later opened to other travelers as well. As a tour hostess, she has traveled to over 35 countries and all 50 states. Henry has also toured about 30 counties as well as all 50 states!
January 2026
Meet other members of Colonial Park United Church of Christ by clicking HERE.
