Franz, Leonard J. (1895-1972)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1972 Jan 20 p. 3

Birth date: 1895 Nov 1

text of obituary:

Death Claims Former Tabor President

Hillsboro, Kan. — Dr. Leonard J. Franz, 76, a former president and dean of Tabor College, died at Salem Hospital here on Jan. 12. He had suffered a coronary attack on Sept. 20, 1971 while visiting a daughter in Boston, Mass., and after returning home entered the local hospital on Dec. 24.

Funeral services were conducted Friday afternoon, Jan. 14, in the Hillsboro M.B. Church, with Rev. Marvin Hein in charge.

A native of Inman, Dr. Franz was a graduate of Tabor Academy and Tabor College, and received the B.A. degree from McPherson College. He was awarded the master's degree by the University of Kansas and the Ph.D. degree by Colorado University, Boulder.

Dr. Franz began his career in education by serving two years as principal of Zoar academy, Inman. In 1925 he became a music teacher in the Hillsboro public schools. Later he was made superintendent of schools here, and continued in that capacity until called to the faculty of Tabor college in 1947. He was dean of the college from 1947 to 1956, acting president in 1951-52 and 1953-54, and president from 1956 to 1962. He served as Professor of History and Government until his retirement in 1970.

Dr. Franz was active in civic affairs and the church, and on Dec. 17 was presented a plaque for his 14 years as chairman of the Board of Publication of the United States M. B. Conference.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1972 Feb 3 p. 14

text of obituary:

LEONARD J. FRANZ

Leonard J. Franz, son of Gerhard and Anna Janzen Franz, was born near Inman, Kan. on Nov. 1, 1895. After being reared in that community, he attended both the academy and college in Hillsboro. It was during a period of recuperation from an accident while in college that he came to know Christ as Savior and Lord and became a member of the Mennonite Brethren Church.

He was married to Helen Reimer at Mountain Lake, Minn. on May 20, 1920, and they moved to Hillsboro where both continued their education. He was graduated from Tabor College in 1922 and spent the next two years as principal at Zoar Academy. During this time he also received a Bachelor of Arts degree from McPherson College.

He was called to the Hillsboro public schools in 1925 as a music instructor and soon thereafter became superintendent, a capacity in which he served for 18 years, moving the local school system toward complete accreditation. During this time he was also awarded a master's degree from Kansas University.

In 1947 he was called to Tabor College as dean of the college and has served there in some capacity since that time. From 1956 to 1962 he served as president, working unselfishly to strengthen both the internal structure of the college and its ties with the church and conference. In 1948 he earned his doctorate at Colorado University in Boulder. More recently he had served as Professor of History and Government.

The one distinguishing characteristic of his life as an education was his utter commitment to the belief that Christ is a living reality who makes himself felt in the experiences of individuals, nations and cultures. He possessed a comprehensive view of history and this perspective was firmly grounded in a deep-seated, personally-experienced faith and commitment to the Lord of History. For him Jesus was the profound revelation of God through whom we learn to know Him and His thoughts about man and the world. As a scholar and teacher he never ceased to learn and encourage young people to learn to bring together a firm spiritual commitment to Christ and the development of the intellect and special skills. He sought both for sound academic scholarship and a vital Christian emphasis in higher education.

Mr. Franz was an avid reader who took great pleasure in discussing his reading with friends. Until just a few months ago, he stopped to talk and listen to young students in Boston on the street. He wanted to know what they thought and he wanted to help them to a richer life. He had a zest for living and loved to be with people. In his family, too, he wanted those close to him all the way down to the youngest of his grandchildren, to be sincerely joyous Christians. He wanted them to seek after knowledge in history, music and the sciences and to serve mankind meaningfully in a realistic world.

His full and productive life was suddenly restricted when he suffered a coronary while visiting in Boston last Sept. 20. He recovered sufficiently so that he could return to Hillsboro. Several weeks ago his condition worsened and he was admitted to Salem Hospital on Dec. 24, 1971, where he passed away quietly early Wednesday morning, Jan. 12, having reached the age of 76.

Preceding him in death were five brothers and four sisters. Surviving are his wife, Helen; two daughters, Elfrieda, Mrs. Erwin Hiebert and husband of Boston, Mass., and Laura, Mrs. Talmage Hiebert and husband, Geneva, Ill.; six grandchildren; two brothers, Peter J. and Dave J. of Hillsboro, and may other relatives and friends. — The Family.