View source for Goertz, Peter S. (1886-1948)

   [[File:Peter%20S%20Goertz.jpg|300px|thumb|right|''Peter S. Goertz (1886-1948) 

Photographer: McCormick Armstrong, 

Wichita, Kansas 

Source: Mennonite Church USA Archives - 

North Newton: #2009-0145 

'']]     Peter S. Goertz: dean and professor of philosophy and religion at [[Bethel College (North Newton, Kansas, USA)|Bethel College]], 1930-1948; born 3 October 1886 at [[Aulie-Ata Mennonite Settlement (Kazakhstan)|Aulie-Ata]], near [[Tashkent (Toshkent Province, Uzbekistan)|Tashkent]], in [[Asiatic Russia|Asiatic Russia]] to Siebert Goertz and Helena Dalke-Goertz, Peter Goertz married Mathilda Harms in 1910. They had three children. After she died in 1931, he married Helene Riesen, 1933.

Goertz studied at McPherson College (AB, 1914), Yale Divinity School, (BD, 1917), and under Kenneth Scott Latourette at Yale U. (PhD, 1933). His thesis was "A History of the Development of the Indigenous Chinese Christian Church Under the American Board of Fukien Province."

Before coming to Bethel College as dean, Goertz was a school superintendent in [[Kansas (USA)|Kansas]], 1910-1913 (Partridge and Hillsboro); missionary and seminary teacher for the American Board of Missions in [[People's Republic of China|China]], 1918-1926; and professor of philosophy and religious education, Tabor College, 1926-1930. He was vice-chairman of the [[Mennonite Brethren Church|Mennonite Brethren]] peace committee, 1932-1936.

Goertz is remembered as a gifted teacher who opened the door to the fascinating world of philosophy for his students. As a dean he was a gifted listener to students as well as faculty. He served Bethel College during its successful achievement of North Central Association accreditation. In his later years he moved from the Mennonite Brethren to membership in the [[General Conference Mennonite Church (GCM)|General Conference Mennonite Church]]. He died suddenly on 4 August 1948 after returning from a sabbatical leave spent in [[Relief Work|relief work]] in Europe for [[Mennonite Central Committee (International)|Mennonite Central Committee]].


= Bibliography =
"Final Services for Dean of Bethel College Held Last Saturday." <em class="gameo_bibliography">Mennonite Weekly Review</em> 26 (12 August 1948): 1.

Warkentin, A. and Melvin Gingerich, compilers. <em class="gameo_bibliography">Who's Who Among the Mennonites.</em> North Newton, KS: Bethel College, 1943: 86-87.

Wedel, P. J. and E. G. Kaufman. <em class="gameo_bibliography">The Story of Bethel College. </em>North Newton, KS: Bethel College, 1954: esp. 374.


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