Harry Thomsen Obituary

Harry Thomsen passed away peacefully on Monday, November 10th, 2008 at Pikes Peak Hospice. He was born February 21st, 1928 in the Danish village of Vildbjerg of Thomas and Inger Thomsen, as the youngest of their twelve children. He graduated as valedictorian from Herning High School and studied at the University of Aarhus, Yale University, University of Chicago, and the Montana State University at Missoula. He graduated with an advanced degree in English literature, specializing in the writings of Christopher Marlowe, and developed a life-long scholarly interest in comparative religions, particularly those of Zen Buddhism, Christianity, and the New Religions of Japan. He married Ene Marie Jensen, daughter of Charles and Sigrun Jensen, at the Timring Church, Denmark, on June 4, 1955. Harry was an enthusiastic boy scout. In 1946, he and his troop participated in the national Danish Scout Jamboree. Winning numerous honors, they were personally congratulated by King Frederik IX of Denmark. In August 1955, Harry was ordained missionary and pastor of the Danish Lutheran Church. During the next thirteen years, he and his wife were active in Japan as missionaries for the Scandinavian Christian Mission. There he established Christian churches and congregations, as well as the Shin Rei San Center, a Christian center, a brothers' home for inter-faith conversation, and an agricultural school, which taught Danish agricultural techniques to students coming from dairy centers of Japan. In this active period, he also lectured at various Japanese universities, and – during visits back to Europe – held sermons at numerous churches in Scandinavia. He also held lectures at the University of Denmark, University of Finland, and the Free University, Berlin. Among some of his unusual accomplishments as a pioneering researcher of Japanese religions and culture were an invitation to meet the Emperor of Japan, taking part in a television program on Japan for the Danish Television, and guiding members of the Danish royal house. His book, The New Religions of Japan, is now seen as a classic work in the field, and is represented in most university libraries. In 1970, Harry and Ene Marie, now with three children, traveled to USA and settled in Colorado Springs, where they have lived until now. Harry created his own art firm and traveled throughout the world during the next thirty years, viewing Chinese and Japanese art collections in various countries. Harry's greatest joy in his life was Ene Marie, and together they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary at the First Lutheran Church in 2005. Their children all work in fields related to the family stay in Japan. Erik owns a Japanese art gallery in New York City; Hans Bjarne is a professor of East Asian art history in Zurich, Switzerland; and Inger Sigrun (Brodey) is a professor of comparative literature and Asian studies at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. Harry was an enthusiastic member of numerous clubs and associations, among them the Cheyenne Mountain Country Club. Throughout his life, he was active as an author and poet. A collection of his poems in English, Japanese, and Danish was privately distributed, likewise his autobiography, Curriculum Vitae. Harry is survived by his wife, his three children and their spouses, twelve grandchildren, two brothers, and two sisters. Memorial services will be held at 2:00 p.m. this Friday, November 14th, at the First Lutheran Church, 1515 North Cascade Avenue. In lieu of flowers, donations are being accepted for the Memorial Fund of First Lutheran Church.