Hostetler, Eugene R. (1932-2006)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 2006 Apr 17 p. 16

Birth date: 1932 Feb 3

text of obituary:

Former EMU teacher, coach dies at 74

HARRISONBURG, Va. — Eugene R. Hostetler, a former physical education instructor and coach at Eastern Mennonite University, died of cancer April 9 at his home in Park View. He was 74.

Hostetler was appointed to a faculty position in physical education in 1957 and served until 1967. He was the school's first men's soccer coach, in 1965-66, and the first men's basketball coach, in 1966-67.

Hostetler "was a good coach in a day when athletics were in their early development at the college," said Myron S. Augsburger, president during part of Hostetler's tenure. "He was a dedicated colleague on the faculty, a man of Christian commitment and a very giving person in the encouragement of his students."

A 1957 EMU graduate, Hostetler was inducted into the university's "Hall of Honor" in 2003 in recognition of his teaching and coaching service.

He lived in the Silver Spring and Highland, Md., areas from 1967-97 and taught at Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School, J. F. Kennedy High School and Montgomery Hills Junior High School.

He was born Feb. 3, 1932, in Johnstown, Pa. On Dec. 22, 1956, he married Mary Naomi Mast, who survives. Also surviving are five daughters, four brothers, four sisters and 16 grandchildren.

Services were held at Ridgeway Mennonite Church in Harrisonburg, where he was a member. Burial was in the Lindale Mennonite Church cemetery.