Regier, Aaron J. (1884-1947)

Christlicher Bundesbote obituary: 1947 Apr 29 p. 13

Birth date: 1884 Nov 13

text of obituary:

Aaron J. Regier wurde am 13. November, 1884, auf einer Farm sechs Meilen nördlich von Mountain Lake, Minnesota geboren. Er war der zweite Sohn von John J. und Katherina Wall Regier. Seine Eltern kamen in 1878 aus Rußland.

Der junge Knabe wuchs heran zum Manne auf seines Vaters wohlausgerüsteter Farm. Er wurde ein Glied der Bruderthaler Mennonitengemeinde im Alter von achtzehn Jahren. In jenen Tagen war es etwas außergewöhnliches für einen jungen Mann aus der Umgebung, mehr Sculbildung zu erhalten als die ländlichen Schulen und die Gemeindeschulen mit kurzer Studienzeit lieferten. Doch Aaron Regier war nicht befriedigt. Er beendigte die Akademia und zwei Jahre die Collegeausbildung in Goshen College und besuchte später zwei Jahre Bethel College, wo er ein Glied der ersten graduierenden Klasse wurde, die einen A. B. Titel erhielt.

Im folgenden Jahre wurde er Prinzipal der Deutschen Vorbereitungsschule in Mountain Lake, eine Stellung die er vier Jahre hielt. Eine bedeutsame Aussage wurde von ihm gemacht, die zu jener Zeit in der Zeitung seiner heimatlichen Stadt erschien: “Das Verhältnis, das zwischen Lehrern und Schülern besteht, ist höchst löblich. Es erfordert viel pädagogischen Takt von Seiten eines Lehrers, seinen Schülern beides, Autorität und Kamerad zu sein.”

Es war während dieser Zeit daß er Suzanne Bargen traf. Sie verehelichten sich in 1914.

In 1916 kam ein Ruf von Freeman College um dort Lehrer zu sein. In 1918 wurde er zum Präsidenten von Freeman College gewählt. In 1921 nahm er Urlaub und besuchte die Minnesota Universität, wo er in 1922 seinen M. A. Titel erhielt. Darauf zog die Familie zurück nach Freeman für die nächsten fünf Jahre. Der “Freeman Courier” hatte dieses zu sagen von Professor Regier am Ende seiner Jahre in Freeman: “Die Präsidentschaft eines College ist eine sehr schwierige Stelle zu füllen. Man muß Finanzier, Diplomat sein und die Angelegenheiten in solcher Weise leiten, daß die Anstalt und die Gemeinde zusammen arbeiten; der Gemeinschaft treu, und doch liberal genug um andere Gruppen heranzuziehen; gute Disziplin zu haben und doch beliebt sein bei den Studenten. Professor Regier hat dieses erreicht. Er ist ein unermüdlicher Arbeiter. Da ist kein anderer Mann, der bis dahin so viel für die Anstalt getan hat. Es sind genügend Beweise vorhanden um diese Behauptung zu rechtfertigen.”

In 1927 kam ein Ruf von Bethel College, um dort Professor der Erziehung zu werden. Diese Stellung hat er zwanzig Jahre inne gehabt. Während dieser Zeit besuchte er Sommer Kurse in der Kansas Universität und einen Winterkursus, worauf ihm der Ph.D. Titel gewährt wurde, in 1935.

Neben seiner Arbeit als Professor der Erziehung und Leherausbildung, war Dr. Regier auch Diakon der Bethel College Gemeinde während eines dreijährigen Termins, und gegenwärtig Superintendent der Sonntagschule. Er war der Vermittler um wirkliche Verbesserungen zuwege zu bringen im Lehrplane und in der Organisation der Sonntagschule.

Er starb im Bethel Diakonissen Hospital am Donnerstagabend, den 6. März. Seit dem 13. Februar war er im Hospital gewesen, erlitt aber am Donnerstagabend einen weiteren Herzanfall und starb recht plötzlich.

Fünf Töchter wuchsen heran zu Jungfrauen in diesem glücklichen, gastfreien Heime: Mrs. Frances Horan, Kansas City, Missouri; Mrs. Margaret Rich, Detroit, Michigan; Mrs. Winifred Ewy, Arlington, Kansas; Donna and Betty, daheim. Diese, und ihre leidtragende Mutter, betrauern tief den Verlust eine hingebenden Vaters and Ehemannes. Er liebte seine vier Großkinder: Robert und Barbara Rich, Gretta Sue Horan, und Eileen Ewy; und wer sie irgend beisammen sah, der bemerkte, wie viel Freude sie an einander hatten. Mit Ueberzeugung können wir sagen: “Er ist gegangen um bei seinem Herrn zu sein.”

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1947 Mar 13 p. 1

text of obituary:

Final Services For Long-Time Member of Bethel College Faculty

PROF. AARON J. REGIER HAD SERVED MENNONITE SCHOOLS SINCE 1912

Funeral services took place in the Bethel College chapel at 10:00 a.m. on Monday for Aaron J. Regier, professor of education and director of teacher training at Bethel College, who passed away at the Bethel Deaconess hospital here last Thursday evening after being a patient at the hospital since Feb. 13 due to a heart condition. The services were in charge of Rev. D. C. Wedel and Dr. E. G. Kaufman president of the college.

Prof. Regier had served on the faculty of Bethel College for the past 20 years, coming here in 1927 from Freeman, South Dakota, where for 10 years he had been president of Freeman Junior College. Previous to that he was principal of the Mountain Lake German Preparatory School in his home community, Mountain Lake, Minn.

He received his college training at Goshen College and Bethel College, graduating from the latter place in 1912. He was awarded his master of Arts degree at the University of Minnesota in 1922, and the doctor of Philosophy degree at the University of Kansas in 1935.

Prof Regier was born at Mountain Lake, Minn. Nov. 13, 1884, a son of John J. Regier and Katharina Wall Regier, and grew up in the Mountain Lake community.

He is survived by his wife, Suzanne Bargen Regier; five daughters, Mrs. Frances Horan, Kansas City, Mo., Mrs. Margaret Rich, Detroit, Mich., Mrs. Winifred Ewy, Arlington, and Donna and Betty Regier of the home; two brothers and three sisters, Mrs. Katharine Epp, Rev. D. A. Regier, and Jacob Regier of Mountain Lake, Mrs. Aganetha Regier, missionary to China, and Miss Anna Regier of Meade.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1947 Mar 20 p. 3

text of obituary:

AARON J. REGIER,

Aaron J. Regier was born November 13, 1884, on a farm six miles north of Mountain Lake, Minnesota. He was the second son of John J. and Katharina Wall Regier. his parents had come from Russia in 1878.

The young boy grew up to manhood on his father's well-appointed farm. He became a member of the Bruderthaler Mennonite church at the age of 18. In those days it was uncommon for a young man of the community to get more education than was offered by the rural schools and short term parochial schools. But Aaron Regier was not satisfied. He finished the academy and two years of college training at Goshen College, and later attended Bethel College for two years, becoming a member of the first graduating class receiving an A. B. degree.

The following year he became principal of the Mountain Lake German preparatory School, which position he held for four years. A significant statement was made of him which appeared in the home-town paper at that time: "The relationship that exists between teacher and pupils is highly commendable. It takes much pedagogical tact on the part of a teacher, to be both authority and comrade to his pupils."

It was during this time that he met Suzanne Bargen. They were married in 1914.

In 1916 a call came from Freeman College to be an instructor. In 1918 he was elected president of Freeman Junior College. In 1921 he took a leave of absence and attended Minnesota University where he received his M.A. degree in 1922. The family then moved back to Freeman for the next five years.

The Freeman Courier had this to say of Prof. Regier at the end of his years in Freeman: "A college presidency is a very difficult place to fill. You must be financier, diplomat, and conduct affairs in such a way that the institution and the church work together; loyal to the denomination yet liberal enough to draw from other groups; to have good discipline and yet be popular with the students. Prof. Regier has achieved this. He is an indefatigable worker. There is no other man who has done so much for the institution up to the present time. There is enough evidence to justify this assertion."

In 1927, a call came from Bethel College to become the professor of education of the college. this position he held for 20 years. During this time, he attended summer sessions at Kansas university, and one winter session, after which he was granted a Ph.D. degree, in 1935.

In addition to his work as professor of education and teacher training, Dr. Regier was also the director of the Bethel College summer school, and the Teacher Placement Bureau. He was deacon of the Bethel College church for a three-year term, and the superintendent of the Sunday School at the present time. He was instrumental in bringing about very real improvements in the Sunday School curriculum and organization.

He died at the Bethel Deaconess hospital on Thursday night, March 6. He had been in the hospital since February 13, but suffered another heart attack Thursday night, and died quite suddenly.

Five daughters grew to young womanhood in this happy, hospitable home: Mrs. Frances Horan, Kansas City, Missouri; Mrs. Margaret Rich, Detroit, Michigan; Mrs. Winifred Ewy, Arlington, Kansas; Donna and Betty at home. these, and their sorrowing mother deeply mourn the loss of a devoted father and husband. He loved his four grandchildren: Robert and Barbara Rich, Gretta Sue Horan, and Eileen Ewy, and anyone who saw them together noticed how much they enjoyed one another. Mourning him are also three sons-in-law; two brothers, Rev. D. A. Regier and Jacob Regier; a sister, Mrs. Katherine Epp all of Mountain Lake, Minnesota; a sister, Miss Aganetha Regier, a missionary in china; and Miss Anna Regier, Meade, Kansas. Also his mother-in-law, Mrs. Anna Bargen, Mountain Lake, and numerous neighbors and friends and former students.

His church, Bethel College, and the entire campus family feel this loss very deeply, but with assurance we can say, "He has gone to be with his Lord."

Funeral services were held at the Betel College Mennonite church on Monday, March 10, at 10:00 a. m., with Rev. D. C. Wedel and Dr. E. G. Kaufman officiating. The church was filled to capacity with friends who assembled to pay their last respects. The a capella choir of Bethel College sang "My God And I" and "Near To The Heart Of God." Miss Margaret Wedel as at the organ.

Interment was made in the family lot at Greenwood cemetery, Newton. Casket bearers were J. H. Lingenfelder, J. J. Seimens, Reynold Weinbrenner, J. J. Voth, J. F. Moyer, and Harry Martens.

The Mennonite obituary: 1947 Mar 18 p. 3