Stucky, N. Paul (1919-2011)

Newton Kansan obituaries: 2011 Sep 23

Birth date: 1919 Mar 23

Text of obituary:

N. Paul Stucky, 92, passed away on Wednesday (Sept. 21, 2011).

He was born on March 23, 1919, to Rachel and Napthali Stucky at their farm southwest of Moundridge.

At age 12, N. Paul made his first public confession of Jesus Christ as his Savior. At age 15, he joined the Eden Mennonite Church near Moundridge. Throughout his life, he worshiped with various denominations based on his physical location and projects, knowing he served the same God.

He graduated from Bethel College, and also from the University of Arizona, where he received an advanced degree in physics. During the military draft of World War II, he spent 52 months in Civilian Public Service. That experience included projects in six different camps and a two-year assignment in Puerto Rico with the Mennonite Central Committee. The MCC project brought medical care to the people of the mountainous interior of Puerto Rico and resulted in the formation of the Aibonito Hospital that has grown and still is in service more than 50 years later.

As a Ham radio operator, he was a lifetime member of the American Radio Relay League and received a lot of joy from making communication contacts around the world. His equpiment was donated to Kansas Wesleyan University. He also was an avid rock and fossil collector.

In 1948, he married Lidia Ruth Pagán and taught physics at Bethel College. He interrupted his teaching career to be a research scientist for Honeywell in Minneapolis and returned to Kansas in 1958 to resume his teaching career at Kansas Wesleyan University in Salina. Five children — Rachel, Helen, Rebecca Mae (deceased in infancy), Edna and Mark — blessed their 19-year marriage.

He married Elizabeth Buller Niles, and they later divorced. He married Beth Stuart Nelson, and their 16-year union was blessed with sharing seven children and 15 grandchildren in Minnesota and Kansas, and numerous mission trips. They parted ways, and Beth is deceased.

Neve Belle Adamson blessed his life with love and undying devotion to him and his family. They enjoyed family, nature, traveling, genealogy and nurturing their Christian faith in their 11 years of marriage. They have been residents of Kidron Bethel Village Retirement Center since 2007 and members of the Bethel College Mennonite Church since 1999.

In keeping with his Christian life and honoring his beliefs in education, research and social service, he donated his body to Science Care to be used for organ donations and research. A celebration of life will be at the Bethel College Mennonite Church at a later date, with interment of remains at the Hopefield Cemetery.

Memorials may be sent directly to Kidron Bethel Village, 3001 Ivy Dr., North Newton, KS 67117, or to the Alzheimer's Association, where donations, education and caregiver support can be received online, by phone (800) 272-3900 or with a check sent to Alzheimer's Association, P. O. Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011. Both organizations are non-profit 501(c)3 opportunities for tax-exempt donations.