Warkentin, Abraham (1885-1947)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1947 Sep 4 p. 1, 5

Birth date: 1885 Aug 22

text of obituary:

Mennonite Biblical Seminary President Called Away in Death

DR. A WARKENTIN DIED IN CHICAGO HOSPITAL, SATURDAY, AUGUST 30

A life of outstanding service and achievement came to a close when Dr. A. Warkentin, 62, president of the Mennonite Biblical Seminary in Chicago, died in the Wesley Memorial Hospital there shortly after six o'clock Saturday evening, Aug. 30. He had been a patient at the hospital since submitting to a major operation on July 15.

Dr. Warkentin carried on his work in spite of evident ill health during the past few years. In September, 1943, while serving as associate minister of the First Mennonite church of Newton and as president of the newly organized Mennonite Bible Academy he suffered a stroke which confined him to the sickbed for many months.

First President of Seminary

Upon his recovery he was called to the presidency of the Mennonite Biblical Seminary, founded in the fall of 1945. A major operation became necessary in 1946, but he was granted an almost complete recovery and resumed his seminary duties until his strength once more began to weaken early this year.

Abraham Warkentin was born at Ladekopp, Molotschna, Russia, Aug. 22, 1885. On Aug. 24, 1912, he was married to Elizabeth Unger, who now survives him together with their children, Dr. John Warkentin of Nashville, Tenn., Helmut Warkentin, Wichita, Kans., Herman Warkentin, Chicago, and their families, and one daughter, Hilda, also of Chicago.

Teacher and Minister

Previous to his emigration to America with his family in 1923, he taught in a high school in Germany and also held the position of secretary of Deutsche Mennoniten Hilfe. In 1924 he joined the faculty of Bethel College at North Newton as professor of German and Bible and also became associated with Rev. J. E. Entz as minister of the First Mennonite church here.

His interest and activities, however, reached far beyond his immediate community, conference or church. He was active in the field of Mennonite history and spent much time in building up the Historical Library at Bethel College. At various intervals he took a leave of absence from teaching to complete his post graduate work at the University of Kansas and at Chicago University, where he received his Ph. D. degree in 1935.

Member of Central Committee

From 1933 to 1940 he was a member of the Mennonite Central Committee and from 1937 to 1942 served as editor of the Christian Sunday School Quarterly. "A Harmony of the Kings," Who's Who Among the Mennonites," 1927, and an enlarged edition (with Dr. Melvin Gingerich as co-editor) published in 1943, are among his permanent contributions to works by Mennonite authors. But above all, to many of his students, co-workers and brethren in the church he will long remain in memory as a consecrated, humble servant of His Lord, and an understanding counsellor and friend.

Funeral services were held at Chicago on Tuesday, Sept 2. Among those form this immediate community who went to attend were Dr. E. G. Kaufman, president of Bethel College, and Rev. and Mrs. J. E. Entz, representing the First Mennonite church. Interment was made in a Chicago cemetery.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1947 Sep 4 p. 5

text of obituary:

. . .

— Memorial services for Dr. A. Warkentin, who died at Chicago Aug. 30, were held at the First Mennonite church on Wednesday evening, conducted by Rev. D. J. Unruh and Rev. J. E. Entz. members of the choir rendered special music. Dr. Warkentin was a minister of the church for over 20 years and his outstanding work here will long remain a blessing for the congregation. Following his recovery from a serious illness of many months, he accepted the presidency of the Mennonite Biblical Seminary in Chicago in 1945.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1947 Oct 23 p. 1

text of obituary:

Hold Memorial Service For Late President Of Biblical Seminary

FULL CHAPEL SERVICE IN CHICAGO DEDICATED TO DR. A. WARKENTIN

Chicago, Ill. — On Friday, Oct. 10, Bethany Biblical Seminary and the Mennonite Biblical Seminary paused to participate in a full chapel service in memory of the late Dr. Abraham Warkentin, first president of the Mennonite institution who passed away last August.

The devotional service was led by Aldene Ecker of the Church of the Brethren. The Mennonite vesper choir under the direction of Marvin Dirks then presented the second of the seven last words of Christ from the great oratorio by that name. The solo parts were sung by Alvin Franz of Lind, Wash., and Joseph Mason of the Bethany Seminary. This was one of the favorite selections of Dr. Warkentin and was dedicated to his memory.

Dr. S. F. Pannebecker, dean and acting president of the school, then presented a fitting summary of the life of Dr. Warkentin, dividing it into three parts and an appendix: The first part in Russia, the second part in Germany, the third part in America, principally at Newton, Kansas, and the fourth brief but deeply significant phase when he founded the seminary.

The memory of this great Christian saint lives on in the life of the Mennonite Biblical Seminary.

The Mennonite obituary: 1947 Sep 16 p. 3