Goertz, Peter Siebert (1886-1948)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1948 Aug 5 p. 5

Birth date: 1886 Oct 3

text of obituary:

— As the Review goes to press, the unfortunate news comes that Dean P. S. Goertz, 62, died suddenly of a stroke at the supper table at his home Wednesday evening. Dr. and Mrs. Goertz had just recently returned from a year’s service with the MCC in Europe and he was planning to resume his duties as dean of Bethel College in September. Funeral services will be held at the Bethel College church Saturday at 10 a. m.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1948 Aug 12 p. 1

text of obituary:

Final Services For Dean of Bethel College Held Last Saturday

DR. P. S. GOERTZ HAD SERVED MENNONITE SCHOOLS SINCE 1926

North Newton. Kans. — Dr. Peter S. Goertz, dean of Bethel College and professor of philosophy and religion since 1930, died suddenly from a cerebral hemorrhage Wednesday evening, August 4, at his home here. On a year's leave of absence from the college to do relief and rehabilitation work in Europe under the auspices of the Mennonite Central Committee, Dr. and Mrs. Goertz had just returned from Europe to North Newton on Saturday, July 24.

Born in Auiliatta [sic Aulie Ata], Asiatic Turkestan, Oct. 3, 1886, he came to America during his childhood with his parents, Siebert and Helena Dalke Goertz, who made their home at Buhler, Kansas.

Served in China

Dean Goertz attended McPherson College, the University of Chicago, University of Minnesota, and took his theological training at Divinity School of Yale University, where he also received his Ph. D. degree in 1933. He served as missionary to China under the American Board from 1918-1925, giving a good deal of his time and energy to educational work, for a time serving as professor at Union Theological Seminary, Foochow, China.

Upon his return from China he served as professor of philosophy and religious education at Tabor College, Hillsboro. Kans., assuming the position of dean at Bethel College in 1930.

He is survived by his widow, and three children: A son, Paul, of Wichita, and two daughters, Mrs. Edith Brown and Mrs. Ruth Rahn, both of Houston, Tex.

Funeral services were held in the Bethel College Memorial Hall Saturday, August 7, with Rev. Lester Hostetler and President Ed. G. Kaufman officiating.

Scholar and Administrator

Dean Goertz was a scholar and administrator of high rank and esteemed as such by his co-workers and in educational circles in general. His advice and help was sought by students and young people and greatly appreciated by them. He was especially interested in the eternal and spiritual values and realities of life.

During his deanship at Bethel College, Dean Goertz has done much to raise and maintain not only the scholastic standards of the school, but also the standards of character of his students.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1948 Aug 19 p. 1

text of obituary:

Late Dean of Bethel College

Dr. P. S. Goertz, dean of Bethel College since 1930, who passed away unexpectedly August 4, only about two weeks after he and Mrs. Goertz returned from a year's relief service in Europe. A large crowd of relatives, friends and business men of newton attended the funeral services in Memorial Hall Saturday morning, August 7, Dr. Goertz served eight years in China, most of which he spent in educational work there. After his return he was professor of philosophy and religious education at Tabor College, Hillsboro, until 1930.