Pathfinder Leader Peter Bo Bohsen Dies at 50

The Trans-European Division (TED) of the Seventh-day Adventist Church announces the death of Peter Bo Bohsen. He was 50. After many months of struggling with a severe heart condition, Bohsen’s heart gave up the struggle on July 8, 2021. He slipped quietly and painlessly away and is now resting.

Bohsen made a unique contribution to the TED as Pathfinder director between 2015 and July 2020, when he left to take up a full-time position at the Danish Junior College, known as Vejlefjordskolen.

He was an innovator, providing strong inspiration and motivation for many Pathfinders and leaders across the division. His many visits locally across the countries of the division were always much appreciated.

“Peter Bo was selected as Pathfinder director for his expertise, track record, creativity, and energy,” TED president Raafat Kamal said. “He certainly did not disappoint and led a strong drive in training leaders, in organizing camps, and training Master Guide leaders.”

During his period of service, Bohsen was instrumental in starting Pathfinder work in four new countries and organizing the largest-ever Pathfinder camporee in TED history.

Before coming to the TED, Bohsen served as Pathfinder director for the Danish Union (2001–2016). He developed a solid and fun-filled Pathfinder program, with growing numbers attending both local and national summer camps.

Always looking to improve, Danish Union president Thomas Müller said, Bohsen “constantly had ten new plans and crazy ideas in his head to implement. He was very creative and will be remembered for many innovative programs and incident hikes.”

“I do get a lot of ideas, and I do get them working,” Bohsen told TED communication director Victor Hulbert in a 2016 interview. “My idea is that I can share them with others, and they can get even better ideas,” he said. “By making Pathfindering more interesting, then we can get more youngsters to start to be Pathfinders, hopefully bringing them closer to God.”

Pathfindering may well be his most robust legacy, but Bohsen was also a strong supporter of the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA). A qualified carpenter and construction architect, he spent two years as assistant project manager with ADRA Tanzania (1996–1998). His role included renovating two secondary schools, developing new building methods, and building and running furniture workshops. Later, he volunteered at construction projects in Kenya, Tanzania, South Sudan, and Nicaragua.

Bohsen loved being with people and always had a good story to share, often of his escapades with ADRA. He thrived at large events, and while he will be remembered for his last Camporee at Ardingly, United Kingdom, in 2019, he had made an impact at previous international camporees and regional events in Scandinavia.

His funeral will be held at Vejlefjordskolen on July 19. Bohsen loved nature and was an outdoor man, so it is appropriate that the service will be held outdoors on the grass in front of the main hall.

TED officers express their heartfelt condolences to Bohsen’s wife, Birgitte, his son Liam, and his extended family. “We are comforted that he is now resting in the sure and certain hope of the resurrection to life everlasting at the glorious appearing of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ,” they said.

The original version of this story was posted on the Trans-European Division news site.