Hertzler, Joseph S. (1933-2008)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 2008 Apr 28 p. 12

Birth date: 1933

Longtime AMBS director of development dies at 75

By Mary E. Klassen

Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary

ELKHART, Ind. — Joseph S. Hertzler, 75, retired director of development for Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary, died April 15.

Hertzler was appointed director of seminary relations in 1971, moving from Iowa City, Iowa, where he had been pastor of First Mennonite Church from 1967 to 1971. He also had served as pastor of First Mennonite Church in Richmond, Va.

He was a graduate of Eastern Mennonite College and Goshen Biblical Seminary. He served as acting president of GBS from 1973 to 1974. He retired from AMBS in 1997.

Early in his life, Hertzler was engaged in a landscaping ans construction business in Newport News, Va., with his brothers. He used this experience while at AMBS, helping to plant 3,000 trees on the campus and designing small hillocks to use the soil excavated when the seminary built an underground library room in 1980. He also enjoyed oil painting and served unofficially as curator of the AMBS art collection.

"Joe Hertzler was a wonderful mentor to me," said Leroy Saner, assistant director of development. "His gentle, sensitive manner in approaching donors and friends of the seminary was a model for building relationships."

President Nelson Kraybill said that Hertzler, who grew up in a family with very modest resources, "knew how to inspire generosity in others."

Survivors include two daughters, Julia Hertzler and Teresa Jantz; four grandchildren; a sister, Alice Yoder of Oregon; and three brothers, Alvin, John Asa and David, all of Virginia.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary, in December, and a sister, Amy Troyer.

The funeral service was held in the Chapel of the Sermon on the Mount at AMBS. Burial was in Violett Cemetery in Goshen.