Welty, Benjamin Franklin (1868-1925)

Christlicher Bundesbote obituary: 22 Oct 1925 p. 7

Birth date: 1868

text of obituary:

Welty. -- Der Tod von Bruder B. F. Welty wurde schon früher erwähnt, auf Wunsch bringen wir hier etwas verspätet die näheren Nachrichten über ihn.

Br. Benjamin Frank Welty war geboren in Wayne Co., Ohio, am 13. Juni 1868, und starb in Tacoma, Washington, im Alter von 56 Jahren, 10 Monaten und einen Tag. Er war der Sohn von Christian und Elizabeth Welty. Im Jahre 1869 zogen seine Eltern nach Missouri. Sein Vater starb 1886. Die Familie zog dann nach Berne, Indiana. Hier wurde er mit 50 anderen getauft und in die Mennonitengemeinde aufgenommen. In Wooster College studierte er unter Prof. Karl Merz Musik. 1893 wurde er Musiklehrer in Bethel College, Newton, Kansas, und behielt immer ein warmes Herz für diese Schule. 1900 ging er nach Europa um weiter Musik zu studieren. Dann lehrte er wieder in Bethel College und verheiratete sich mit Fräulein Clara Rupp von Moundridge, Kansas. 1906 reisten die Geschwister wieder nach Deutschland und studierten in Dresden Musik. Er lehrte wieder in Bethel, bis seine angegriffene Gesundheit einen Klimawechsel notwendig machte. Sie zogen nach Tacoma, Washington. Dort gab er Musikunterricht und spielte die Orgel in einer großen Presbyterianerkirche. Seine Frau starb hier. Er starb an den Folgen einer Operation. Es überleben ihn ein Pflegesohn, eine Schwester, zwei Halbbrüder und zwei Halbschwestern.

Er hatte zugesagt zum 25jährigen Jubiläum des Oratorienvereins in Bethel College, den er gegründet hatte, zu erscheinen und Anteil zu nehmen.

Br. Welty schenkte Bethel College ein Haus auf dem Kampus; er vermachte ihm sein Piano und seine Bibliothek. Der Behörde für Aeußere Mission vermachte er ein Drittel seines Vermögens nach Abzug von Legaten, der Behörde für Innere Mission ein Sechstel, ein Sechstel der Mission der Presbyterianerkirche, ein Drittel seinen und seiner Frau Geschwistern. Das seinem Pflegesohn hinterlassene Kapital fällt falls dieser die Bedingungen des Testamentes nicht erfüllt halb Bethel College, halb Bluffton College zu. So zeigte Br. Welty sein andauerndes Interesse für unsere Gemeinschaft.

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 5 May 1925 p. 5

text of obituary:

An Appreciation

Prof. B. F. Welty

_____

Five days ago the postman brought us the last of his welcome lettes. He wote in part: “My health in general, is somewhat better, at least I feel more ambition and pleasure in my work. Rewarding the impending operation, the doctor says it is bound to come some time and very strongly advises it at an early date; so I have made arrangements to go the hospital next Monday morning. Will you think of me at this time?”

“It is rather a peculiar sensation, but we have the assurance of His presence and His ways are ways of pleasantness.”

“If all goes well I hope to start east on May 22nd . . . . .

“Hoping to see you in May or June, I am your friend, B. F. Welty.”

Yesterday brought us a card written bw the nurse, at his request, saying: “He came through the operation just fine. His condition good. Everything going very nicely so far.”

Today there appeared at our door a messenger with a bit of yellow paper with the few but eventful words: “Professor Welty passed away.”

Unassuming and friendly, he passed his years upon earth, rendering invaluable service to many. His high ideals added much to the value of his ability as a musician and the worth of his personal touches as a helper and friend cannot be fully estimated.

When ill health compelled him to leave his work at Bethel College, he could not understand why he was not permitted to continue his labos where he had hoped to spend his life, and he never forgot Bethel College. This is shown by his gifts, and especially through the encouragement he gave those who worked for Bethel’s welfare. He maintained an active interest in Bethel’s progress to the end, and frequently made inquiries. His interest was broad and far-sighted, the kind whoch lifts up hands which have become weary and which fires a drooping spirit with new hope and enthusiasm.

For a number of years he had faced the possibilities of his departure at more and more frequent intervals. He was never morbid about it, however. To him death was but an incident in life as a whole. His interests in the present portion of life were deep and absorbing; those in the future and greater portion were expectant and hopeful.

One wonders just a bit why he could not been spared long enough to be at Bethel once more in June. He appreciated the invitation to return for the proposed concert very much. It was the kind of recognition of which he was thoroughly worthy and his presence and his service at commencement time would have been a great inspiration. However, while we regret that we have been denied the pleasure and the profit which we would have derived from another meeting with him, we are grateful for the fact that Bethel College has been enriched by the friendship of a man like Professir Welty.

J. H. Langenwalter

Dr. Langenwalter has expressed our feelings. We cannot say what we feel. To have lost such a valuable friend is indeed a loss but we do not wish to begrudge him the great reward he has reaped and the rest he has so faithfully earned. Bethel mourns the loss of her dear friend, Prof. B.F. Welty.