Zehr, Floyd J. (1929-2014)

Mennonite World Review obituary: 2014 Oct 27 p. 19

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Text of obituary:

Floyd J. Zehr

Floyd J. Zehr, 85, of Lancaster, Pa., died Sept. 18, 2014, after having a stroke. He was born to Elias and Martha Zehr in Lowville, N. Y.

He met his wife, Pearl, at Goshen (Ind.) College in 1956 after graduating from Easter Mennonite College in 1954 and teaching from 1954 to 1956 in Puerto Rico at the La Plata school. He completed a second bachelor's degree in 1957 at Goshen.

He received his doctorate in physics from Syracuse University in 1966 and taught physics, astronomy and energy conservation at Westminster College in New Wilmington, Pa., from 1965 to 2000. He had leave from the college in 1988-89 and 1991-93 to teach physics in Malaysia. He and Pearl were active in the Christian Brethren church during those years. His sabbatical research times were in Baton Rouge, La., Chicago and Oak Ridge, Tenn., which gave his family varied experiences. He and his family built a homestead with an Alping-Chalet design, which incorporated his knowledge about energy conservation. The nearly 50 years they lived in New Wilmington they were members of Maple Grove Mennonite Church.

Survivors include his wife, Pearl; four children, David, Kenton, Mary Ann and Bonnie; nine grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and nine siblings.

He was preceded in death by a brother and a brother-in-law.