Isaak, John J. (1884-1956)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1956 Sep 13 p. 3

Birth date: 1884

text of obituary:

Former Harbin Doctor Dies In California

DR. JOHN J. ISAAK HELPED REFUGEES COME TO AMERICA

Reedley, Calif. — Funeral services were conducted at the Reedley Mennonite Brethren Church Sept. 4 for Dr. John J. Isaak, 72, until 1951 a practicing physician at Harbin, Manchuria and benefactor of a number of refugees en route to America. Death came at the home in Vallejo on Aug. 31.

Dr. Isaak was born in Russia and received his medical training from the academy at St. Petersburg. He was a Russian Army doctor in World War I, operating a hospital at Omsk from 1914 to 1920.

He escaped to Harbin (now Pinkiang), Manchuria during the Russian Revolution, and in the late 1920's and early 30's assisted many of the famous Harbin refugee group in their efforts to reach America. Several hundred of these now live in this area. Dr. Isaak came here in 1952.

He is survived by his wife, Marie; three children, Dr. Connie Isaak Jantzen of Vallejo, George of Berkeley, and Mrs. Margaret Zeber of Germany; two brothers, Phillip and James of Reedley; two sisters, Mrs. Margaret Neprash of Philadelphia and Dr. Elizabeth Isaak of Hamburg, Germany.