Van der Zijpp, Nanne (1900-1965)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1965 Jan 28 p. 3

Birth date: 1900

text of obituary:

LEADING ENCYCLOPEDIA CONTRIBUTOR

Dutch Historian Called Away in Death

North Newton. — “When I parted from him last summer, he was seemingly in good health and full of plans for the future. Jan.22, at 1:25 p.m., I received these words by telegram: 'N. van der Zijpp died'.”

So reports Dr. Cornelius Krahn, Church History professor and director of the Bethel College Historical Library, in regard to the sudden passing of Dr. N. van der Zijpp in Holland last week.

Dr. van der Zijpp, a prominent Dutch historian, had just lately retired from his responsibilities as a pastor of the Rotterdam Mennonite Church which he had served since 1946. Appointed recently as full professor at the Mennonite Seminary and the University of Amsterdam, he had now planned to devote his full time to research, lecturing and writing.

In paying tribute to a cherished friend and fellow historian, Dr. Krahn states as follows:

“In America, N. van der Zijpp is best known because of his visit after the last war and through his active part in the production of the Mennonite Encyclopedia, where he wrote more articles than anyone else. After the war he was appointed assistant professor at the Mennonite Theological Seminary. At his 60th birthday he was given an honorary Ph.D. degree by the University of Amsterdam.

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“His death comes unexpectedly to his family, to the congregations he had faithfully served as a spiritual leader, to the Dutch Mennonite brotherhood, and to his many friends in Europe and America. Just recently he wrote that he and Mrs. van der Zijpp were planning to come to America in connection with the General Conference meetings in Colorado next summer.

“I was especially moved when I received the message. N. van der Zijpp was among the first whom I contacted when I came to the Netherlands. His home was always open and his friendship was lasting. We had many interests in common, particularly in the history of the Dutch Mennonites. Unforgettable will remain the visit of Dr. and Mrs. van der Zijpp last summer in our home in the Taunus Mountains, in Germany. They enjoyed this tremendously, particularly since Mrs. van der Zijpp had traveled very little since she was crippled as the result of an accident a few years ago.

“In the passing of Bro. van dern Zijpp, the Mennonite world brotherhood has suffered a great loss. The total brotherhood will remain grateful for what he has accomplished. His memory will be blest by all who learned to know him.”

The Mennonite obituary: 1965 Feb 16 p. 106