Amstutz, Peter D. (1863-1926)

Christlicher Bundesbote obituary: 10 Jun 1926 p. 7

Birth date: 1863

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 26 May 1926, p. 4

text of obituary:

— P. D. Amstutz, of Pandora, Ohio died May 12 at the age of sixty-two years, eleven months and twelve ways. He spent thirty-four years of his life teaching and was widely known for his successes in his vocation.

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 2 Jun 1926 p. 4

NOBLE LIFE CALLED HOME

Mr. P.D. Amstutz, one of Foremost Educators, Called From Time to Eternity

While the evening sun was kissing the fragrant blossoms of orchards laden with bloom, where joyous birds of spring time were singing their sweetest vespers beneath a sky studded with clouds, fringed with purple crimson and gold, the soul of Peter D. Amstutz slipped away from all this beauty and splendor into the land of eternal spring time where “he shall be partaker of the glory that shall be revealed.” (1 Pet. 5:1)

Peter D. Amstutz was born May 30, 1863, near Pandora, and died at his late home in Pandora, May 12, 1926, aged sixty-two years eleven months and twelve days.

He was married to Helena Steiner on October 15, 1891, to which union were born three children. Richard Mendelssohn, a student of Juaniata [sic Juniata] College, Melvina Amstutz Burry, and Hilda all of whom are living.

For many years he has often had spells of asthma, which kept him in the home for a few weeks, and most of the people did not know that his present sickness was not due to his asthma. He was sick with the flu two weeks, when a blood clot commenced to form in his leg. He suffered tremendous pain, but in less than two days after this pain set in breathed his last. Gangrene set in and hastened his end.

Mr. Amstutz taught school for thirty-four years; thirty-two years in Riley Township as a teacher in one room rural school and high school and superintendent, one year as superintendent of the Pleasant Township school in Putnam County, and one year as instructor in history in Bethel College, Newton, Kansas. He also held the position of Postmaster in Pandora, O., from 1914 to 1922.

His former pupils are scattered through the whole United States, and his death will bring back memories of other days to all of them, his spirit and his influence have gone out to the lives of all of these.

One of the sayings that will always be remembered, heard on more than one occasion from the lips of this teacher, was that he would consider himself a poor teacher if many of his pupils did not grow to be greater and stronger than he. Envy at the success of others was not a part of his being.

Mr. Amstutz had friends and acquaintances in every State in the Union, who will grieve on account of his departure. A great teacher has passed on. His wish would be that others bear the torch onward and upward.

He received the larger part of his training in education at Ohio Northern University. In addition to his work there he took special work at Chautauqua, New York, Bay View, Michigan, Bluffton College and several major courses in correspondence work with the University of Chicago.

He was a fine musician, endowed by nature with a high, clear, resonant tenor voice which he trained with practice; he was much sought after in musical circles and for community work. When his voice was in its prime, he was offered a very desirable position with one of the popular voice teachers in New York City at a lucrative salary. This offer also carried with it the position of tenor singer in one of the city’s large churches.

He united with the Mennonite church when a young man and was an active member until his death. He was county and township Sunday School president for many years, holding the latter position at the time of his departure.

Though often misunderstood few men had higher ideals or strove harder to attain them. Time, the just arbiter will always place him as one of the great men of this community. Those who have been fortunate enough to know him intimately will ever remember him as a great teacher and friend.

Around our father’s grave we linger
Tis the nearest we can gather
Knowing that our dearest father
Is at home in Heaven forever
Only sleeping.

The family regretted very much that the son Mendelsohn was not able to reach home before the father passed away. When the family returned to the home after the funeral they found a beautiful wreathe of flowers which had been sent from Juniata College, but arrived too late for the funeral. The services were held on Saturday May 15th. In consideration of many relatives of Bro. Amstutz’s in the Reformed Mennonite Church, they were asked to conduct the funeral in the home. The gathering at the church was the largest seen here during the Pastor’s stay in Pandora. A steady stream of people marched past the casket for just forty minutes. All came to show their respects to an old Sunday School worker, public school teacher for thirty-four years, and a good friend.