Maust, Earl M. (d. 1969)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1969 Sep 25 p. 12

Birth date:

text of obituary:

Head of Music Dept. Dies

Harrisonburg, Va. — Dr. Earl M. Maust, head of the music department at Eastern Mennonite College, died here Sept. 8, at Rockingham Memorial Hospital. He had been admitted to the hospital Sept. 2 following a heart attack.

Dr. Maust joined the EMC faculty in 1948 and has served the music department in various capacities. In addition to teaching responsibilities, he directed several choruses, including Collegiate Chorus, the Alleluia Singers, and the Chamber Signers.

During the summer of 1967 Dr. Maust led the Alleluia Singers on their singing tour through western Europe and to the Mennonite World Conference in Amsterdam, Holland.

On many occasions Maust directed performances of Handel's "Messiah" and Gual's "Holy City" at EMC.

A graduate of Bob Jones University in Greenville, S.C., Dr. Maust received an M.A. in music from Northwestern University, Evanston, Ill., and earned an Ed.D. from George Peabody College in Nashville, Tenn. in 1968.

A member of the Park View Mennonite Church, Maust served on the Worship Committee of the (Old) Mennonite General Conference. He assisted in the publication of the new church hymnal released this past summer.

Dr. Maust was a board member and music director of Mennonite Broadcasts, Inc., Harrisonburg, Va., 1956-1964. During this time he worked with the Mennonite Hour Chorus, serving frequently as a soloist and director.

"Brother Maust was one of the faculty members who coupled Christian education with academic pursuits, commented President Myron S. Augsburger. "He saw his service at EMC as his primary contribution tot he Kingdom of Christ."

Dr. Maust is survived by his wife, the former Evelyn Brunk, and two sons, Robert, a sophomore at EMC, and Dennis, a junior at EMHS. He was a native of Bay Port, Mich., the son of Richard and Elizabeth Gunden Maust, who survive. Also surviving are four sisters and four brothers.

The funeral was conducted Sept. 10 at the EMC Chapel by Harold Eshleman, pastor of the Park View Mennonite Church, and President Augsburger.

Contributions to the Hymnal fund of EMC in memory of Dr. Maust will be accepted to place The Mennonite Hymnal in the College Chapel.