Schweitzer, Albert (1875-1965)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1965 Sep 9 p. 3

Birth date: 1875

text of obituary:

. . .

Death Takes Africa's Noted Dr. Schweitzer at Age 90

Dr. Albert Schweitzer, world-renowned medical doctor, humanitarian, author and philosopher, died Saturday, Sept. 4, at Lambarene, Gabon, in a wooden hut of the jungle hospital he founded half a century ago.

The next day he was laid to rest in a plain wooden coffin beside his wife, Helen, who died in 1957. “The great white doctor,” as the Africans called him, was 90 years old. Weak and enfeebled by his long years of work, he finally succumbed to a cerebral stroke which he had suffered a week before his death.

Dr. Walter Munz, 32, the Swiss physician who is now in charge of the hospital, conducted the simple funeral service. A choir of African women sang a Christian hymn. “The venerable and venerated citizen of the world has passed away,” said Albert Bongo, representing President Leon M'Ba of Gabon. “Our soil will accept him as a precious gift. Now, great doctor, you will be here forever.”

Despite his great fame (he was a Nobel Peace Prize winner), Schweitzer was also widely regarded as a controversial figure. Critics said his hospital was sub-standard. Conservative theologians found his religious views “more philosophical than Christian.” He was also quoted as saying “at this stage Africans have little need for advanced training.”

Those who knew him intimately assert that he will have a permanent place in history because of his self-giving life and for having been one of the greatest intellects and humanitarians of the 20th century.