Eitzen, David D. (1904-1977)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 28 Jul 1977 p. 7

Birth date: 1904

text of obituary:

<Death Claims Long-Time Teacher At Claremont School of Theology

CLAREMONT, CALIF. -- Burial and memorial services for Dr. David D. Eitzen, 73, long-time professor at the Southern California School of Theology here, took place July 20.

Dr. Eitzen died July 17 at the Pomona Valley Hospital after a long illness.

The graveside service was held at 10 a.m. at the Rose Hill Cemetery in Whittier. Rev. John Graber gave the message, and the closing prayer was offered by Rev. Ken Peterson, pastor of the First Mennonite Church of Upland of which Dr. Eitzen was a member. A memorial service was held in the afternoon at the Claremont School of Theology with five of his long-time associates participating.

A native of Mt. Lake, Minn., Dr. Eitzen was a graduate of Bethel College (Kansas) and a former teacher in Kansas high schools. He was an ordained minister of the General Conference Mennonite Church and at one time served as pastor of the Immanuel Mennonite Church, then located in Los Angeles.

HE RECEIVED the master's degree from the University of Southern California and became an instructor there while studying for the Ph.D. degree, which was awarded him in 1940. At that time he was named to the faculty in the school of religion, which later became the School of Theology at Claremont. He served as professor of psychology of religion, religious experience and pastoral counselling [sic]until his retirement in 1968. He was a member of numerous professional organizations.

Surviving are his widow, the former Amanda Heidbrecht; two sons, Stan of Fort Collins, Colo. and Abe of Pomona, Calif.; six grandchildren; and two brothers Peter of Mt. Lake and Alvin of Frazer, Mont.

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 18 Aug 1977 p. 11

text of obituary:

DAVID D. EITZEN

David D. Eitzen, 73, died July 17, 1977 at Pomona Valley Hospital, Pomona, Calif., after a lengthy illness. He is survived by his wife Amanda; two sons and their wives. Stan and Florine of Fort Collings, Colo. and Abe and Esther of Pomona; two brothers, Peter of mt. Lake, Minn. and Alvin of Frazer, Mont.; his step-mother, Sarah of Mt. Lake; and six grandchildren.

David's life was dedicated to the pursuit, dissemination and application of knowledge in human relations, especially in the scholarly fields of theology and psychology. Following his youth in Mt. Lake,he trained and served in various people-oriented activities: preaching, teaching and counseling. Even before attending college he taught in country schools and did some preaching. He attended Mankato State (Minn.) Teachers' College and graduated from Bethel College, North Newton, Kan. in 1930.

Her [sic] married Amanda Heidebrecht in 1930 and taught for three years in Kansas high schools, one year at Pretty Prairie and two years as principal at Zenda. He then was ordained to the Christian ministry by the General conference Mennonite Church and became pastor of the Immanuel Mennonite Church of Downey, Calif. He served there four years while also studying at the school of religion of the University of Southern California.

Upon completing his master's degree in 1927, he resigned the pastorate and became an instructor at U.S. C. while working on his doctorate. Her received the Ph.D. and was appointed to the faculty at U.S.C. in 1940. He taught at that school (which became the Southern California School of Theology at Claremont) as professor of psychology of religion, religious experience and pastoral counseling until his retirement in 1968. During those years and until his death, he was actively engaged in writing lecturing and counseling. He conducted research at Harvard University, Massachusetts General Hospital, Andover-Newton Theological School, The California Institution for Men (Chino), and Cuauhtemoc, Mexico.

David was a Diplomate in Clinical Psychology as designated by the American Board of Examiners in Professional Psychology, a certified psychologist for the state of California, a fellow in the American Psychological Association and the American Society of Group Psychotherapy, and a member of numerous regional and national professional associations. In addition to these professional affiliations, he was an active member of the First Mennonite Church of Upland, Calif.