Harley J. Stucky
Harley J. Stucky, 85, died Friday (Nov.
11, 2005) at his home in North Newton. He was born July 26, 1920, the
fourth child of Julius and Olga Krehbiel Stucky in McPherson County.
He was an educator, college administrator, farmer, churchman, author,
and spokesman for reform and benevolent causes. He taught history and
political science at Bethel College, Bethany College and Central
State University. From 1964 to 1974 he was vice-president of academic
affairs at Friends University in Wichita.
He attended Mound Elementary School,
graduated from Moundridge High School and Bethel College, then
continued his education at Garret Evangelical Seminary and the
University of Chicago. He earned a Ph.D. from Northwestern University
and began his teaching career at Bethel in 1948, where he also
coached forensics and served as dean of men. His interest in history
of the Swiss Volhynian Mennonite emigration to the United States is
found in a number of his books, articles and edited works, including
histories of Swiss/Russian Mennonites and genealogical records.
Throughout his life he advocated a "Doctrine of Love and
Non-Resistance" reflected in several of his publications. He was
always interested in justice, world peace and the teachings of Jesus
Christ.
A man of wide-ranging interests, Stucky
served as president of the Kansas Authors Club, as president of the
Swiss Mennonite Cultural and Historical Society and as co-chair of
the Kansas Red Hard Winter Wheat Centennial.
On March 14, 1945, he married Ruby L.
Voth. Their union was blessed with four children: Steven Joe,
Franklin Jay, Nathan Paul J. and Rita Joy; 11 grandchildren; and four
great-grandchildren. They also had an extended family including
Kenneth and Joyce Kaufman and Lynnett Stucky-Mack and Carla (Stucky)
Shuck and their families.
He is survived by his wife, children,
extended family and grandchildren. His parents, two brothers Marion
and Carl, and two sisters Fedora and Lorene preceded him in death.
Visitation will be until 9 p.m. today
with family greeting friends from 6 to 8 p.m. at Petersen Funeral
Home.
Memorial service will be 11 a.m.
Tuesday at Bethel College Mennonite Church.
A family burial will be in Hopefield
Cemetery.
Memorials have been established with
Bethel College Mennonite Church and the Mennonite Central Committee,
both in care of Petersen Funeral Home, 215 N. Main, Newton, KS 67114.
