Joe Hertzler dies

Joseph S. Hertzler, retired director of development for AMBS, died Tuesday, April 15, after an extended illness. He had lived at Greencroft Retirement Center in Goshen the last several years of his life.

Joe was appointed director of seminary relations in 1971, moving to Elkhart from Iowa City, Iowa, where he had been pastor of First Mennonite Church of Iowa City. He also had served as pastor of First Mennonite Church of Richmond, Va. He earned a B.A. degree from Eastern Mennonite College, Harrisonburg, Va., in 1962; attended Union Theological Seminary, Richmond, Va.; and received a B.D. degree from Goshen Biblical Seminary in 1967.

Several interests filled Joe's life in addition to ministry and fund-raising. Early in his life, Joe was engaged in a landscaping business in Newport News, Va. He used this experience while at AMBS, helping to plant 3,000 trees on the campus and designing small hillocks around campus when excavation was done for the underground library room in the early 1980s. He also enjoyed painting and writing poetry, and a book of his poetry, titled Illuminations, was self-published.

"Joe Hertzler was a wonderful mentor to me with his experience in development," Leroy Saner, current assistant director of development, said. "His gentle, sensitive manner in approaching donors and friends of the seminary was a model for building relationships. His extensive knowledge of the seminary and the constituency was a great asset to the seminary."

Joe is survived by two daughters and their families. His wife, Mary, died in December 2007.

The funeral service will be Thursday, APril 17, at 2 p.m. in the Chapel of the Sermon on the Mount at AMBS. Visitation will be from 1-2 p.m. in the chapel.