Ebel, August R. (1890-1979)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 9 Aug 1979 p. 6

Birth date: 1890

text of obituary:

Long-Time Former Art Professor at Tabor College Dies at 89

Hillsboro, Kan.—August Ebel, well-known Hillsboro artist and long-time former teacher at Tabor College, died July 28 at the age of 89.

Marvin Hein and A. E. Janzen were in charge of funeral services July 30 at the Hillsboro MB Church.

Ebel was on the art faculty from 1922 until his retirement in 1963, after which he continued to teach art at the Golden Years Center. He was best-known for his presentation, "Seeing the World Through Rose-Colored Glasses," which he gave more than 500 times. In 1969, the Hillsboro Chamber of Commerce declared him "Father of Hillsboro Artists."

He is survived by his wife of nearly 57 years, the former Esther Hiebert; and two children, Eileen (Mrs. Leland) Keller of Pittsburg, Kan. and John Ebel of Lancaster, Calif.

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 30 Aug 1979 p. 11

AUGUST R. EBEL

August R. Ebel was born July 20, 1890 in Hillsboro, Kan., the son of Russian immigrants Edward and Anna Dorn Ebel. He died July 28, 1979 in Hillsboro at the age of 89.

He attended McPherson College Academy and Tabor College. Subsequently he was a student at the Chicago Art Institute, Boston Museum School of Fine Arts and Kalamazoo Art School in Michigan. He later earned his master's degree at the University of Kansas and did further graduate study at the University of Minnesota.

Prior to coming to Tabor, he taught a year in the Gnadenau School. He spent several years speaking and drawing as a chautauqua and lyceum artist. He is best known for his presentation, "Seeing the World Through Rose-Colored Glasses," which he gave more than 500 times.

When he returned to Hillsboro in 1921, he joined the Hillsboro Mennonite Brethren Church. He married Esther Hiebert on Aug. 20, 1922, and they built a home where they lived all their married life until 1977, when they moved to the Salem Home Apartments.

He taught at Tabor College from 1922 to 1963, and remained active in retirement, teaching art at the Golden Years Center. In 1968 he was recognized for his devoted service to Tabor at the college's Fine Arts Festival, at which time he presented the college with 25 of his drawings of "Faces and Places." He also received the Kiwanis Senior Citizens Award in 1967, and in 1969 the Hillsboro Chamber of Commerce declared him to be "Father of Hillsboro Artists."

Ebel is survived by his widow; two children, Eileen (Mrs. Leland) Keller of Pittsburg, Kan. and John Ebel of Lancaster, Calif.; a son-in-law, Earl Hughes of Coalinga, Calif.; and six grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Lucille Hughes, and five brothers and sisters.

Funeral services were held July 30 in the Hillsboro Mennonite Brethren Church with Marvin Hein and A. E. Janzen in charge. Burial was in the Ebenfeld Mennonite Brethren Cemetery.