Gingerich, Frederick J. (1878-1955)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1955 Jul 28 p. 8

Birth date: 1878 Sep 15

text of obituary:

FREDERICK J. GINGERICH

Frederick J. Gingerich, son of Joseph C. and Catherine Swartzendruber Gingerich, born Sep. 15, 1878, near Green Center, Iowa, died suddenly at his desert home in Paradise Valley, 15 miles north of Phoenix, Arizona, on July 15, 1955, at the age of 76 years and 10 months.

He married Katie Leichty on Dec. 22, 1901, whose Christian companionship he was privileged to enjoy until December 1953 when the Lord promoted her from the limitations of an earthly house that must be dissolved.

The immediate survivors of our “Bro Fred” include: his only son, Daniel L. of Canby, Ore., four grandsons and three great-grandchildren. Two girls were taken into the Gingerich home who survive with their families; Francis [sic Frances] Johnson, now Mrs. Louia [sic Louis] Nafziger [sic Nofziger], Mollala, Ore., and Marie Johnson, now Mrs. Louia [sic Louie] Hamilton, Sheridan, Oregon. Five brothers and one sister also survive: Daniel G. Gingerich, Turner, Mich., Joseph C. Gingerich, Coalridge, Mont., and Amos, Simon, Ezra and Emma Gingerich, all of whom live in Iowa. Other friends and relatives are scattered throughout the States and Canada.

Bro. Fred accepted Christ in early manhood and adopted the Mennonite Faith as the church of his choice. He served actively and wholeheartedly as a lay member until 1913, when he was called and ordained to the Christian ministry at the East Union Mennonite church near Kalona, Iowa. At that time he answered the call to serve as pastor of the West Fairview church near Beaver Crossing, Neb. In 1919, he with his family moved westward to Oregon to locate at Canby. There he served the Bethel church before and after its organization.

He was ordained bishop on July 3, 1921, and served the church extensively, having bishop oversight of various congregations as far away as Los Angeles, Calif., and Phoenix, Arizona. His wide experience and careful judgement made him a much sought counsellor and valuable member of many committees and boards, locally and in the District. Already at an age when many would have retired, Bro. Fred put an unusual amount of energy and concern into the launching and building of Western Mennonite School, literally, from the ground up.

Due to his physical limitations, he spent a number of winter months in Arizona. The last two winters he was again pioneering on a small tract of land on the desert. He had a strong desire to try the hot summer here and so refused several opportunities to go north. Though he was living alone the last three months, Bro. Fred endeared himself to neighbors and new friends who took a tender interest in him.

As the weather became warmer, he felt greatly improved in health. This new joy made him cautious and thankful and one could not visit him without being assured that Bro. Fred was exceptionally happy in life, as he tenderly cared for his growing trees and other plantings. To us at the Sunnyslope church, his “sunset” was illustrious above the ordinary.

He preached his last sermon here on the evening of June 19. Among his last requests was this, “Let us pray for peace in the churches. That is something we can all do.” While the writer learned to know Bro. Fred only in the twilight of his life, it is a joy to remember him as a gifted peacemaker. He had the ability to absorb verbal blows without becoming resentful. Jesus called peacemakers “the children of God.”

Bro. Fred attended prayer meeting the evening before his death. Our period of July showers had come and it was a very sultry evening. The next morning his nearest neighbors, who took such an interest in his welfare, saw him around as usual while they were eating breakfast. That was Friday. On Saturday morning they failed to see him out. An investigation after dinner found his lifeless body, face down in a dry shallow ditch not far from his house and within plain view of his neighbors. Unfortunately, his clothing blended perfectly with the dry, desert soil and so he was visible only a short distance. It is believed that he died early Friday. His fall was likely due to a heart attack or a stroke.

His son, Daniel, was present for a memorial service held at the Sunnyslope Mennonite church on Sunday morning at 11 a. m. He escorted the remains to Oregon by train. The memorial services in Oregon were scheduled to be held at the Zion church near Hubbard on Wednesday afternoon, July 20.