Clemens, Philip Kaufmann (1941-2009)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 2009 Apr 6 p. 10

Birth date: 1941 Jun 7

text of obituary:

Pastor, music professor dies at 67 in Ohio

PANDORA, Ohio — Philip Kaufmann Clemens, a pastor and professor of music, died March 1 at his home. he was 7.

Clemens was a professor of music at Eastern Mennonite University in Harrisonburg, Va., and then at Goshen (Ind.) College.

After that he spent more than 24 years in the ministry, serving at Yellow Creek Mennonite Church, Wakarusa, Ind.; College Mennonite Church, Goshen; Beaverdam Mennonite Church, Corry, Pa.; and Pike Mennonite Church, Elida.

He served at Goshen in 1965-66 and from 1970 to 1986, teaching music theory, organ, church music, conducting, black music and electronic music composition. He was chair of the music department for several years. He founded the college's jazz band in 1976 and directed it. He organized an electronic music studio on campus n 1978.

Clemens composed several songs for a book used at Bethlehem '93, a joint assembly of the Mennonite Church and General Conference Mennonite Church. He published Short Hymn-Tune Arrangements for Organ and won at least one award for his compositions.

"Phil delighted in teaching and exploring music, its relation to the other arts and its function in Christian community," said Deb Brubaker, a professor of music at Goshen. "He was a thoughtful and caring professor."

Clemens was born June 7, 1941, in Sellersville, Pa., to Paul R and Mary (Kaufmann) Clemens. On Aug. 18, 1962, he married Nancy Musselman, who survives in Pandora.

He graduated from Christopher Dock Mennonite High School and continued his schooling at Goshen College, Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary, Union Theological Seminary and Northwestern University.

Clemens also was a writer for books and periodicals. His book Beyond the Law: Living the Sermon on the Mount, was published in 2007.

Survivors include a son, Jim Clemens and his wife, Angie, of Dayton, Va.; a daughter, Judy Smucker and her husband, Steve, of Ottawa, Ohio; two sisters, Becky Thomas of Clear Lake, Iowa, and Mary Meyer of Fresno, Ohio; three brothers, Jon Clemens of Camas, Wash., Paul Clemens of Peru and Ed Clemens of Harleysville, Pa.; and four grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a sister, Sylvia Clemens.

A memorial service was held at Pike Mennonite Church. Burial was in Pike Cemetery.