Richert, Irvin E. (1918-2008)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 2008 Dec 22 p. 9

Birth date: 1918

text of obituary:

IRVIN E. RICHERT

Irvin E. Richert, 90, of Souderton, Pa., and formerly of Quakertown, died Dec. 3, 2008, at Grand View Hospital. He was born to Arthur J. and Helen (Regier) Richert in Newton, Kan.

He was married to Shirley I. (Ingalls) Richert for 62 years.

He graduated from Bethel College in North Newton, Kan., with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. During World War II, he served in Civilian Public Service in forestry and conservation service in both Colorado Springs, Colo., and Claremont, Calif. His third assignment was as personnel secretary for Civilian Public Program for Mennonite Central Committee in Akron. After World War II, he was in charge of the crew that cared for 750 horses that the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Service shipped to Poland by ship.

He was a graduate of Union Theological Seminary in Chicago with a master of divinity. He then began his ministry at Salem Mennonite in Dalton, Ohio. He was a pastor at Buhler (Kan.) Mennonite Church and West Swamp Mennonite Church in Quakertown. He was an English language editor for the Good News New Testament and Good News Bible for the American Bible Society for 17 years. He was also a book editor for Faith and Life Press in Newton. He served as the Eastern District Conference representative for the board of Bluffton (Ohio) University; on the Commission on Education and Publication for the General Conference Mennonite Church in Newton; as president of the Middle District of GCMC; on the program committee for the GCMC General Assembly; and on many Eastern District committees. He was a member of Grace Mennonite Church of Lansdale.

Survivors include his spouse, Shirley; two sons, Arthur P. Richert and his wife, Michele, of Plymouth Meeting, and Allyn Richert and his wife, Constance, of Fairfax, Va.; a daughter, Kathrine Fry and her husband, Donald, of Stevens; a nephew, Ronald Ewert; and seven grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a sister, Louise Ewert; a brother-in-law, Walter Ewert; and a niece, Sylvia Ewert.

Funeral services were held at Grace Mennonite Church, Lansdale. Burial was in West Swamp Mennonite Cemetery in Quakertown.