Voth, Larry (1934-2007)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 2007 Nov 5 p. 9

Birth date: 1934

text of obituary:

Fund-raiser's impact seen all over at Bethel Longtime director of development dies at age 73

By Melanie Zuercher
Bethel College

NORTH NEWTON, Kans. — Those who knew Larry Voth say he loved raising money, and Bethel College has benefited in countless ways.

Voth, a pastor, administrator and Bethel's director of development for 28 years, died Oct. 27 at Kidron Bethel Healthcare after a long illness. He was 73.

At the time of his retirement in 2001, it was estimated that he had raised more than $50 million for Bethel's annual fund and various capital campaigns. he was responsible for securing funding for qt least eight major construction or renovation projects, including Manz Library, Thresher Gymnasium, Schultz Student Center, Kauffman Museum, Goerz House renovation, Leisy House renovation as the Admissions Welcome Center, Krehbiel Science Center and Voth Hall.

The latter building, a residence hall completed in 2000, is named in Voth's honor. At that time, President Doug Penner said: "Larry developed personal friendships and deep loyalty for Bethel among people across the country, spending countless hours traveling and visiting in homes. Larry dreamed lofty dreams for Bethel and helped to make those drams a reality."

Sondra Bandy Koontz, vice president for advancement, said: "Much of Bethel today — buildings, programs, scholarships — reflects the hard work of Larry Voth. Everyone in the development office is proud to follow in his footsteps."

In convocation Oct. 29, director of church relations Dale Schrag noted Voth's passing. "Every one of us here has been a direct beneficiary of Larry Voth's service to Bethel College," he said.

Born in Goessel, Voth graduated from Bethel and earned a bachelor of divinity degree from Mennonite Biblical Seminary in Elkhart, Ind. In 1956 he married Jane Nyce of Pretty Prairie.

From 1961 to 1973, he was pastor of Community Mennonite Church in Markham, Ill. During some of those years, he also pastored Trinity United Church of Christ in Markham. In 1964 he organized Markham's Mennonite Voluntary Service, whose workers helped to staff a children's day-care center the Mennonite church started. Also under Voth's direction, projects in housing rehabilitation, family counseling, and senior services began.

While in Markham, he served on the Executive Committee of the General Conference Mennonite Church and as president of Central District Conference.

Voth is survived by his wife, Jane; three daughters, Laurie Regehr of Halstead, Leslie Stephan of Haven and Linda Mueller of North Newton; five grandchildren; and a brother, Harold.