Ratzlaff, Eric L. (1911-1988) - Revision history

RichardThiessen: Added categories.

2024-09-10T16:41:40Z

Added categories.

RichardThiessen at 07:33, 16 January 2023

2023-01-16T07:33:33Z

RichardThiessen: Updated article to incorporate material describing his Nazi activities during World War II.

2023-01-16T07:32:51Z

Updated article to incorporate material describing his Nazi activities during World War II.

RichardThiessen: Added categories.

2020-02-26T00:54:18Z

Added categories.

RichardThiessen: Added hyperlink.

2017-06-13T18:12:38Z

Added hyperlink.

RichardThiessen: Text replace - "=== Archival Records ===" to "

Archival Records

2016-10-06T07:01:08Z

Text replace - "=== Archival Records ===" to "<h3>Archival Records</h3>"

RichardThiessen at 19:59, 28 September 2013

2013-09-28T19:59:39Z

RichardThiessen at 19:59, 28 September 2013

2013-09-28T19:59:23Z

RichardThiessen: Added Lydia's date of death.

2013-09-28T18:29:46Z

Added Lydia's date of death.

GameoAdmin: CSV import - 20130823

2013-08-23T14:17:45Z

CSV import - 20130823

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 {{GAMEO_footer|hp=|date=January 2023|a1_last=Ratzlaff|a1_first=Heinz|a2_last=Thiessen|a2_first=Richard D}}
 [[Category:Persons]]
 [[Category:Editors]]
 [[Category:Teachers]]

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 Eric was baptized and joined the church on 23 July 1928. In 1932, Eric obtained a teacher training degree (B. Ed) at the Teacher Training College in Ostrzeszow, Poland. He taught school in various villages in [[Poland]].
-During [[World War (1939-1945) - Germany|World War II]] Ratzlaff participated in the Nazi administration in the Gąbin region, and he was active in Nazi party activities between 1939 and 1940. He was the Ortsgruppenleiter (local group leader) of the NSDAP (Nationalsocialistische Deutsche Partei), even though he was not a party member at the time. He later became a member. Ratzlaff also served as Amtskommissar (chief civil administrator) in Gabin, and in that capacity invited other Mennonites to move into properties expropriated from Jews. While serving in this role, Ratzlaff was known to carry around a whip to terrorize Jews and force them to bow to him. Ratzlaff was also a member of the Gąbin self-defense unit, as well as the SA (Sturmabteilung), a paramilitary group serving the Nazi administration. Several years later, after immigrating to Canada, Eric expressed remorse for his actions. However, the matter appears to have never been addressed in any public forum.
+During [[World War (1939-1945) - Germany|World War II]] Ratzlaff participated in the Nazi administration in the Gąbin region, and he was active in Nazi party activities between 1939 and 1940. He was the ''Ortsgruppenleiter'' (local group leader) of the NSDAP (Nationalsocialistische Deutsche Partei), even though he was not a party member at the time. He later became a member. Ratzlaff also served as ''Amtskommissar'' (chief civil administrator) in Gabin, and in that capacity invited other Mennonites to move into properties expropriated from Jews. While serving in this role, Ratzlaff was known to carry around a whip to terrorize Jews and force them to bow to him. Ratzlaff was also a member of the Gąbin self-defense unit, as well as the SA (''Sturmabteilung''), a paramilitary group serving the Nazi administration. Several years later, after immigrating to Canada, Eric expressed remorse for his actions. However, the matter appears to have never been addressed in any public forum.
 On 27 October 1942 Eric was drafted into military service in the German army. On 13 May 1945, he was taken as a prisoner of war in Czechoslovakia and in June of 1946, through contacts he made with relatives in Canada, he was reunited with his family in Germany. From June 1947 until August 1948 the family stayed at the International Relief Organization Camp Fallingbostel in Gronau, Germany. This camp was operated by [[Mennonite Central Committee (International)|Mennonite Central Committee]] (MCC) and Eric was engaged in a variety of camp activities, most notably ministry to the many children and young people in the camp.

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 [[File:ErichRatzlaffs.jpg|300px|thumb|right|''Eric and Lydia Ratzlaff'']]
-Eric L. Ratzlaff: teacher and editor; born the sixth of eight children on 8 August 1911 in the village of [[Deutsch-Wymysle (Masovian Voivodeship, Poland)|Deutsch Wymyschle]], Poland, to Leonhard Peter Ratzlaff (18 January 1880 – 12 August 1946, Stettin, Pomerania) and Anna (Wohlgemuth) Ratzlaff (25 August 1875, Deutsch Wymyschle, Poland – 31 August 1946, Dueringhausen, Germany). On 1 June 1935 he was married to Lydia Ratzlaff (11 June 1912, Deutsch Wymyschle, Poland - 19 June 2010, [[Abbotsford (British Columbia, Canada)|Abbotsford]], British Columbia, Canada) in the [[Mennonite Brethren Church|Mennonite Brethren Church]] of Deutsch Wymyschle by Eric’s father, Leonhard Peter Ratzlaff, who was the leading [[Elder (Ältester)|elder]] (<em>Ältester</em>). Lydia was the daughter of Franz Ratzlaff (1876–1945) and Anna (Kliewer) Ratzlaff (1876–1966). Eric and Lydia had 6 children: Richard, Frank, Trudy, Heinz, Leonard and Alice. Eric died 18 October 1988 in Abbotsford, British Columbia.
+Eric L. Ratzlaff: teacher and editor; born the sixth of eight children on 8 August 1911 in the village of [[Deutsch-Wymysle (Masovian Voivodeship, Poland)|Deutsch Wymysle]], Poland, to Leonhard Peter Ratzlaff (18 January 1880 – 12 August 1946, Stettin, Pomerania) and Anna (Wohlgemuth) Ratzlaff (25 August 1875, Deutsch Wymysle, Poland – 31 August 1946, Dueringhausen, Germany). On 1 June 1935 he was married to Lydia Ratzlaff (11 June 1912, Deutsch Wymysle, Poland - 19 June 2010, [[Abbotsford (British Columbia, Canada)|Abbotsford]], British Columbia, Canada) in the [[Mennonite Brethren Church]] of Deutsch Wymysle by Eric’s father, who was the leading elder (Ältester). Lydia was the daughter of Franz Ratzlaff (1876–1945) and Anna (Kliewer) Ratzlaff (1876–1966). Eric and Lydia had 6 children: Richard, Frank, Trudy, Heinz, Leonard, and Alice. Eric died 18 October 1988 in Abbotsford, British Columbia.
-Eric was baptized and joined the church on 23 July 1928. In 1932, Eric obtained a teacher training degree (B. Ed) at the Teacher Training College in Ostrzeszow, Poland. He taught school in various villages in Poland. On 27 October 1942 he was drafted into military service in the German army. On 13 May 1945, Eric was taken as a prisoner of war in Czechoslovakia and in June of 1946, through contacts he made with relatives in Canada, he was reunited with his family in Germany. From June 1947 until August 1948 the family stayed at the International Relief Organization Camp Fallingbostel in [[Gronau Mennonite Church (Gronau, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany)|Gronau]], Germany. This camp was operated by [[Mennonite Central Committee (International)|Mennonite Central Committee]] (MCC) and Eric was engaged in a variety of camp activities, most notably ministry to the many children and young people in the camp.
+Eric was baptized and joined the church on 23 July 1928. In 1932, Eric obtained a teacher training degree (B. Ed) at the Teacher Training College in Ostrzeszow, Poland. He taught school in various villages in [[Poland]].
-On 19 July 1948 the family boarded the Dutch ship M.S. Tabinta in Rotterdam and disembarked in Quebec City on 29 July 1948, after which they traveled by train to Calgary and then by car to Acme, where Eric worked from August 1948 to February 1951 as a laborer and farmer. The family moved to Arnold, British Columbia and from 1951 to 1954 Eric worked in a variety of jobs including working away from the family in the construction industry in Vancouver.
+During [[World War (1939-1945) - Germany|World War II]] Ratzlaff participated in the Nazi administration in the Gąbin region, and he was active in Nazi party activities between 1939 and 1940. He was the Ortsgruppenleiter (local group leader) of the NSDAP (Nationalsocialistische Deutsche Partei), even though he was not a party member at the time. He later became a member. Ratzlaff also served as Amtskommissar (chief civil administrator) in Gabin, and in that capacity invited other Mennonites to move into properties expropriated from Jews. While serving in this role, Ratzlaff was known to carry around a whip to terrorize Jews and force them to bow to him. Ratzlaff was also a member of the Gąbin self-defense unit, as well as the SA (Sturmabteilung), a paramilitary group serving the Nazi administration. Several years later, after immigrating to Canada, Eric expressed remorse for his actions. However, the matter appears to have never been addressed in any public forum.
-From 1954 to 1967 he taught at the [[Mennonite Educational Institute (Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada)|Mennonite Educational Institute]] in Abbotsford, British Columbia, primarily in the areas of German language, religion and church history. Through courses at Surpass Pacific College in Vancouver, summer sessions at the University of British Columbia and correspondence and extension courses Eric was able to upgrade his training and was able to obtain a permanent teaching certificate. Eric was remembered as an interesting teacher who enlivened his lessons with accounts of some of the experiences of his life. From 1962 to 1966 he served as the announcer of the <em>Stimme des Evangeliums</em> radio program, aired on KARI in Blaine, Washington.
+On 27 October 1942 Eric was drafted into military service in the German army. On 13 May 1945, he was taken as a prisoner of war in Czechoslovakia and in June of 1946, through contacts he made with relatives in Canada, he was reunited with his family in Germany. From June 1947 until August 1948 the family stayed at the International Relief Organization Camp Fallingbostel in Gronau, Germany. This camp was operated by [[Mennonite Central Committee (International)|Mennonite Central Committee]] (MCC) and Eric was engaged in a variety of camp activities, most notably ministry to the many children and young people in the camp.
-From 1967 to 1979 he served as editor of the <em>[[Mennonitische Rundschau, Die (Periodical)|Mennonitische Rundschau]]</em>, the [[Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches|Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren (MB) Churches]]' periodical for German-speaking members. For part of that time his wife Lydia was able to help him in the <em>Rundschau</em> office. The 22 August 1979 issue included words of appreciation for his clear writing style and his faithfulness to the basic principles of God’s word and the teaching of the MB brotherhood.
+On 19 July 1948 the family boarded the Dutch ship M.S. Tabinta in Rotterdam and disembarked in Quebec City on 29 July 1948, after which they traveled by train to Calgary and then by car to Acme, where Eric worked from August 1948 to February 1951 as a laborer and farmer. The family moved to [[Arnold (Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada)|Arnold]], British Columbia and from 1951 to 1954 Eric worked in a variety of jobs including working away from the family in the construction industry in Vancouver.
-Eric had a keen interest in the history of the Mennonites in [[Poland|Poland]]. He wrote the book <em>Im Weichselbogen</em> (Christian Press) in 1971. He also published a genealogy of the families that used to live in his home village entitled <em>Familienregister</em>, published in 1971. Eric was involved in writing and editing many publications including life stories, sermons and commentaries by well known Mennonite authors, preachers and Bible teachers.
+From 1954 to 1967 he taught at the [[Mennonite Educational Institute (Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada)|Mennonite Educational Institute]] in Abbotsford, British Columbia, primarily in the areas of German language, religion and church history. Through courses at Surpass Pacific College in Vancouver, summer sessions at the University of British Columbia and correspondence and extension courses Eric was able to upgrade his training and was able to obtain a permanent teaching certificate. Eric was remembered as an interesting teacher who enlivened his lessons with accounts of some of the experiences of his life. From 1962 to 1966 he served as the announcer of the ''Stimme des Evangeliums'' radio program, aired on KARI in Blaine, Washington.
-On 13 January 1974, the [[Winnipeg Central Mennonite Brethren Church (Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada)|Winnipeg Central MB Church]] ordained Eric to the ministry. He served in a variety of ministries, including preaching, teaching and behind the scenes work on numerous committees. In December 1979 Eric began serving as commentator and program coordinator for the German radio program, <em>Licht des Evangelium</em>. This continued for a few years until the program was discontinued. In February 1981, Eric and Lydia moved back to Abbotsford. They joined the [[Clearbrook Mennonite Brethren Church (Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada)|Clearbrook MB Church]] where Eric served in various ministries, including writing a book of the history of the church (1986) and serving on the pulpit committee.
+From 1967 to 1979 he served as editor of ''Die Mennonitische Rundschau'', the [[Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches |Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren (MB) Churches]]' periodical for German-speaking members.
 = Bibliography =
 "Deaths: Lydia Ratzlaff." ''Mennonite Brethren Herald'' (September 2010): 32.
-<h3>Archival Records</h3>
 In 1989 the family donated the personal papers of Eric L. Ratzlaff to the Centre for Mennonite Brethren Studies in Winnipeg.
-{{GAMEO_footer|hp=|date=September 2013|a1_last=Ratzlaff|a1_first=Heinz|a2_last= |a2_first= }}
+{{GAMEO_footer|hp=|date=January 2023|a1_last=Ratzlaff|a1_first=Heinz|a2_last=Thiessen|a2_first=Richard D}}
 [[Category:Persons]]
 [[Category:Editors]]
 [[Category:Teachers]]

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:54, 26 February 2020
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	In 1989 the family donated the personal papers of Eric L. Ratzlaff to the Centre for Mennonite Brethren Studies in Winnipeg.		In 1989 the family donated the personal papers of Eric L. Ratzlaff to the Centre for Mennonite Brethren Studies in Winnipeg.
	{{GAMEO_footer\|hp=\|date=September 2013\|a1_last=Ratzlaff\|a1_first=Heinz\|a2_last= \|a2_first= }}		{{GAMEO_footer\|hp=\|date=September 2013\|a1_last=Ratzlaff\|a1_first=Heinz\|a2_last= \|a2_first= }}
		+	[[Category:Persons]]
		+	[[Category:Editors]]
		+	[[Category:Teachers]]

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 [[File:ErichRatzlaffs.jpg|300px|thumb|right|''Eric and Lydia Ratzlaff'']]
-Eric L. Ratzlaff: teacher and editor; born the sixth of eight children on 8 August 1911 in the village of Deutsch Wymyschle, Poland, to Leonhard Peter Ratzlaff (18 January 1880 – 12 August 1946, Stettin, Pomerania) and Anna (Wohlgemuth) Ratzlaff (25 August 1875, Deutsch Wymyschle, Poland – 31 August 1946, Dueringhausen, Germany). On 1 June 1935 he was married to Lydia Ratzlaff (11 June 1912, Deutsch Wymyschle, Poland - 19 June 2010, [[Abbotsford (British Columbia, Canada)|Abbotsford]], British Columbia, Canada) in the [[Mennonite Brethren Church|Mennonite Brethren Church]] of Deutsch Wymyschle by Eric’s father, Leonhard Peter Ratzlaff, who was the leading [[Elder (Ältester)|elder]] (<em>Ältester</em>). Lydia was the daughter of Franz Ratzlaff (1876–1945) and Anna (Kliewer) Ratzlaff (1876–1966). Eric and Lydia had 6 children: Richard, Frank, Trudy, Heinz, Leonard and Alice. Eric died 18 October 1988 in Abbotsford, British Columbia.
+Eric L. Ratzlaff: teacher and editor; born the sixth of eight children on 8 August 1911 in the village of [[Deutsch-Wymysle (Masovian Voivodeship, Poland)|Deutsch Wymyschle]], Poland, to Leonhard Peter Ratzlaff (18 January 1880 – 12 August 1946, Stettin, Pomerania) and Anna (Wohlgemuth) Ratzlaff (25 August 1875, Deutsch Wymyschle, Poland – 31 August 1946, Dueringhausen, Germany). On 1 June 1935 he was married to Lydia Ratzlaff (11 June 1912, Deutsch Wymyschle, Poland - 19 June 2010, [[Abbotsford (British Columbia, Canada)|Abbotsford]], British Columbia, Canada) in the [[Mennonite Brethren Church|Mennonite Brethren Church]] of Deutsch Wymyschle by Eric’s father, Leonhard Peter Ratzlaff, who was the leading [[Elder (Ältester)|elder]] (<em>Ältester</em>). Lydia was the daughter of Franz Ratzlaff (1876–1945) and Anna (Kliewer) Ratzlaff (1876–1966). Eric and Lydia had 6 children: Richard, Frank, Trudy, Heinz, Leonard and Alice. Eric died 18 October 1988 in Abbotsford, British Columbia.
 Eric was baptized and joined the church on 23 July 1928. In 1932, Eric obtained a teacher training degree (B. Ed) at the Teacher Training College in Ostrzeszow, Poland. He taught school in various villages in Poland. On 27 October 1942 he was drafted into military service in the German army. On 13 May 1945, Eric was taken as a prisoner of war in Czechoslovakia and in June of 1946, through contacts he made with relatives in Canada, he was reunited with his family in Germany. From June 1947 until August 1948 the family stayed at the International Relief Organization Camp Fallingbostel in [[Gronau Mennonite Church (Gronau, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany)|Gronau]], Germany. This camp was operated by [[Mennonite Central Committee (International)|Mennonite Central Committee]] (MCC) and Eric was engaged in a variety of camp activities, most notably ministry to the many children and young people in the camp.

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:17, 23 August 2013
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−	[[File:ErichRatzlaffs.jpg\|300px\|thumb\|right\|''Eric and Lydia Ratzlaff	+	[[File:ErichRatzlaffs.jpg\|300px\|thumb\|right\|''Eric and Lydia Ratzlaff'']] Eric L. Ratzlaff: teacher and editor; born the sixth of eight children on 8 August 1911 in the village of Deutsch Wymyschle, Poland, to Leonhard Peter Ratzlaff (1880-1946) and Anna (Wohlgemuth) Ratzlaff (1875-1946). On 1 June 1935 he was married to Lydia Ratzlaff in the [[Mennonite Brethren Church\|Mennonite Brethren Church]] of Deutsch Wymyschle by Eric’s father, Leonhard Peter Ratzlaff, who was the leading [[Elder (Ältester)\|elder]] (<em>Ältester</em>) (see additional information for further information regarding Eric's family). Eric died 18 October 1988 in Abbotsford, British Columbia.
−
−	'']] Eric L. Ratzlaff: teacher and editor; born the sixth of eight children on 8 August 1911 in the village of Deutsch Wymyschle, Poland, to Leonhard Peter Ratzlaff (1880-1946) and Anna (Wohlgemuth) Ratzlaff (1875-1946). On 1 June 1935 he was married to Lydia Ratzlaff in the [[Mennonite Brethren Church\|Mennonite Brethren Church]] of Deutsch Wymyschle by Eric’s father, Leonhard Peter Ratzlaff, who was the leading [[Elder (Ältester)\|elder]] (<em>Ältester</em>) (see additional information for further information regarding Eric's family). Eric died 18 October 1988 in Abbotsford, British Columbia.

	Eric was baptized and joined the church on 23 July 1928. In 1932, Eric obtained a teacher training degree (B. Ed) at the Teacher Training College in Ostrzeszow, Poland. He taught school in various villages in Poland. On 27 October 1942 he was drafted into military service in the German army. On 13 May 1945, Eric was taken as a prisoner of war in Czechoslovakia and in June of 1946, through contacts he made with relatives in Canada, he was reunited with his family in Germany. From June 1947 until August 1948 the family stayed at the International Relief Organization Camp Fallingbostel in [[Gronau Mennonite Church (Gronau, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany)\|Gronau]], Germany. This camp was operated by [[Mennonite Central Committee (International)\|Mennonite Central Committee]] (MCC) and Eric was engaged in a variety of camp activities, most notably ministry to the many children and young people in the camp.		Eric was baptized and joined the church on 23 July 1928. In 1932, Eric obtained a teacher training degree (B. Ed) at the Teacher Training College in Ostrzeszow, Poland. He taught school in various villages in Poland. On 27 October 1942 he was drafted into military service in the German army. On 13 May 1945, Eric was taken as a prisoner of war in Czechoslovakia and in June of 1946, through contacts he made with relatives in Canada, he was reunited with his family in Germany. From June 1947 until August 1948 the family stayed at the International Relief Organization Camp Fallingbostel in [[Gronau Mennonite Church (Gronau, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany)\|Gronau]], Germany. This camp was operated by [[Mennonite Central Committee (International)\|Mennonite Central Committee]] (MCC) and Eric was engaged in a variety of camp activities, most notably ministry to the many children and young people in the camp.