Eitzen, Allan George (1928-2008)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 2008 Sep 15 p. 9

Birth date: 1928 May 25

text of obituary:

ALLAN EITZEN

Allan George Eitzen, 80, of Lititz, Pa., died of cancer on Aug. 31, 2008. He was born May 25, 1928, to Agatha Warkentin Eitzen and George P. Eitzen in Mountain Lake, Minn.

After studies at Gustavus Adolphus College in Minnesota, he moved to Scottdale, Pa., to work as an illustrator for Herald Press. At the publishing company, he met a young woman, Ruth Carper, who was developing educational materials. Only a month later, she left for four years in Europe to work for Mennonite Central Committee. After her return to the United States, they married on July 12, 1954. In the meantime, he had earned a degree in illustration at Philadelphia College of Art (now University of the Arts).

They moved to a country home in Barto and had five children. He supported the family as a freelance illustrator of children’s books, magazines and textbooks, and was kept busy caring for the country property and acting as family chauffeur. When the children left home, he had more time to devote to his artistic medium of choice, printmaking. He continued working professionally as an illustrator until 2007 and as a printmaker almost to the time of his death. Google lists 147 books that carry his illustrations, often on the cover. The titles include Mennonite classics such as Henry’s Red Sea, Coals of Fire and a number of the Louise Vernon heritage fiction titles.

In addition to his artistic pursuits, he was passionate about literature, classical music and jazz, travel and, above all, his family. His sense of fun, optimism and enthusiastic spirit will be sorely missed.

Survivors include five children, Hilda, Dirk, Ann, Laura and John; and eight grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held Sept. 28 at East Chestnut Street Mennonite Church in Lancaster.