Fast, Bernhard B. (1896-1963)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1964 Jan 16 p. 7

Birth date: 1896 Jan 15

text of obituary:

Winnipeg Businessman Called by Death

Winnipeg, Man. — A cerebral hemorrhage suffered shortly before Christmas claimed the life of Bernhard B. Fast, 67, well-known Winnipeg businessman and former Mennonite Brethren pastor here.

Mr. Fast was director and secretary-treasurer of C. A. DeFehr and Sons Ltd., widely known Canadian importing firm. He was ordained to the ministry in 1937 and served for five years as pastor of the Elmwood (North End) Mennonite Brethren Church.

A former teacher in South Russia, Mr. Fast came to Canada in 1925. He was a son-in-law of Mr. and Mrs. DeFehr. At the time of death he was serving on the boards of the M. B. Bible College, M. B. Collegiate Institute, and the and the Canadian Bible Society.

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Mennonite Brethren Herald obituary: 1964 Jan 10 p. 18

text of obituary:

REV. BERNHARD B. FAST

Rev. B. B. Fast, 67, of Winnipeg, died of a heart attack on December 22. He went to work as usual the day before, although complaining of being unwell. However, before he reached the office he had to be taken home, and from there to the hospital, where he died next day.

Mr. Fast was born in South Russia, educated in the Malotschna district and qualified as a teacher, in which profession he served wholeheartedly in Russia and also in Canada. In 1922 he was converted and joined the Kuban M.B. Church through baptism. He was married in 1923. Five children were born to the family; all are married and all were present with their families at the funeral.

Emigration to Canada took place in 1925, and Mr. Fast then continued in the teaching profession. In 1938 he was called into the preaching ministry and ordination followed. An active ministry in the church followed - as church leader, in the Sunday School department, in the local high school (MBCI), in the M.B. Bible College, in the British and Foreign Bible Society and other branches of religious work. Br. Fast was esteemed for his gracious Christian personality.

He leaves to mourn 3 sons, 2 daughters, his parents (C. A. De Fehrs), 12 grandchildren and a host of relatives and friends. "The Lord hath given, the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord!