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The Long Beach Citadel Corps hosted the retirement service for Majors Ted and Ros Mahr, with Commissioners Bill and Gwen Luttrell officiating.
Commissioner Bill Luttrell used their life and history as the focus of the message of “God’s leading in their lives.” He shared how each of them were quite comfortable pursuing their education, and then God called them to go to India with the Salvationist Service Corps from 1972-1974. Ted was the chief pharmacist and purchasing officer and Ros was in charge of the clinical laboratory at the Catherine Booth Hospital in Nagercoil, India. In the midst of this experience, God called them to serve The Salvation Army health services in India as officers.
They returned to the USA Western Territory to enter the School for Officers’ Training. In June 1978 they were commissioned with the Disciples of Jesus Session.
In December 1978 they returned to India to the Evangeline Booth Hospital at Ahmednagar. Ted was appointed as the head of pharmacy and store department and Ros as the director of laboratory services. Ros continued to serve at this same hospital in various capacities, including hospital administrator, until they returned to the USA West in 2006.
Ted’s additional appointments included hospital administrator for the India Western Territory and, from 1988 to 2006, he had the added responsibility as executive secretary of The Salvation Army Health Services Advisory Council (SAHSAC).
Luttrell spoke of God’s leading and blessing on their lives in 30 years of service to the people of India. In their responses, Majors Mahr each shared word pictures of the blessings the Lord had provided them and thanked God for his goodness to their sons, Terrence and Christopher. They expressed appreciation to the Long Beach Corps for their faithful prayer and financial support for the 30 years.
After the formal retirement service, family and friends enjoyed a luncheon that included some traditional foods from India.
In retirement thhe Mahrs will reside in Huntington Beach, Calif.
—Major Ralph Hood
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