Richert, Peter H. (1871-1949)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1949 Oct 27 p. 3

Birth date: 1871 Aug 11

text of obituary:

Long-Time Leader In Missionary and Conf. Work Called

REV. P. H. RICHERT DIED TUESDAY AFTER LONG ILLNESS

Rev. Peter H. Richert, pastor and elder of the Tabor Mennonite church north of Newton who rendered outstanding service to the cause of missions during a long and fruitful ministry, passed away Tuesday evening at the Bethesda hospital, Goessel, at the age of 78.

Funeral services were announced for Thursday afternoon at the Home for Aged, Goessel, and the Tabor church.

Long Illness

Rev. Richert had been a patient at the hospital for over three years, having been incapacitated by a stroke of paralysis.

Born in South Russia on Aug. 11, 1871, he came to this country at an early age and received his training at the Halstead seminary and Bethel college. After serving as a school teacher and evangelist, he served successively as minister of the Alexanderwohl and Tabor churches, being made an elder of the Tabor church in 1910.

Beginning early in his ministry, he took a leading part in a variety of church movements — conferences, conventions, and missionary and educational endeavors.

Was Mission Secretary

He had been secretary of the Foreign Mission Board of the General Conference from 1911 until recent years. He served three terms as president of the Western District Conference, and was on numerous boards and committees of both the Western District and General conferences.

For many years he was on the Board of Directors of Bethel college, and from 1936 until recently, was a member of the Herald Publishing Company board. He served terms as editor of the Bethesda Herold and the Mission Quarterly.

Surviving are his wife, Eva; two daughters, Stella of the home and Mrs. R. M. Crocket of Topeka; and three sons, Otto of Newton and Anton and Samuel of Wichita.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1949 Nov 3 p. 3

text of obituary:

REV. PETER H. RICHERT

Peter H. Richert was born on August 11, 1871, in Gnadenheim, South Russia. He was the son of Rev. Heinrich Richert and Helena Unruh Richert. With his parents he came to America in the year 1874.

He was baptized on June 10, 1889, by Rev. Jacob Buller and received into the Alexanderwohl church. On February 15, 1896, he was elected as evangelist of his home church. He was elected as a minister of this church on Jan. 26, 1898. In 1908 he was elected pastor of the newly organized Tabor Mennonite church and on Oct 2, 1910 ordained as its elder. He held this position for about 35 years, until he was paralyzed in February 1946.

He attended Halstead seminary and Bethel college, where he completed the Evangelist course in 1897. He taught in rural schools and at Bethel College academy for a total of 19 years.

On August 16, 1900, he married Eva Schmidt, which marriage lasted for over 49 years. They lived near Newton, later near Goessel, Kansas.

For some length of time he was connected officially with the Bethel College Board of Directors. From 1911 until his illness he served as secretary of the Foreign Mission Board of the General Conference of Mennonites. He served on committees of publication, hospital work, and many related church, school and mission projects for many years. His life was devoted to faithful service in these three areas.

The last three and three-fourths years were spent in a partially paralyzed condition at the Bethesda Hospital and Home for the Aged. During this time he received very many visitors, who helped to relieve the weary hours by reading to him, singing and praying, of which he was very appreciative. He went to be with his Lord on Monday, Oct 24, 1949, at 6:50 p. m. at the age of 78 years, two months and 13 days.

Surviving are his wife; his five children, Stella of the home, Anton of Wichita, Elma (Mrs. R. N. Crockett) of Topeka, Otto of Newton, and Sam of Wichita; three daughters-in-law and one son-in-law; three grandsons and four granddaughters. One granddaughter preceded him in death. Also surviving are three sisters, Sister Margaret Richert of Goessel, Mrs. Martha Penner of Newton, Mrs. H. D. Epp of Henderson, Nebr. and one brother, David H. Richert of North Newton; five sisters-in-law and two brothers-in-law; one aunt, Mrs. Anna Regier, and many nephews and nieces as well as other relatives and friends. — The Bereaved Family.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1949 Nov 3 p. 5

text of obituary:

. . .

— It is estimated that over 700 persons attended funeral services for the beloved Rev. P. H. Richert last Thursday afternoon at the Tabor Mennonite church north of Newton, where he had served as elder for many years. Many friends from other communities who learned to know him during his long and active service as mission board secretary and in other phases of conference work were in attendance. The services were in charge of Rev. H. B. Schmidt, present pastor of the church, assisted by Rev. Phil. A. Wedel, who brought a message in German, Rev. P. P. Wedel, Dr. Ed. G. Kaufman, and Rev. W. F. Unruh. Burial was in the Tabor cemetery.

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The Mennonite obituary: 1949 Dec 20 p. 6