The Rev. Dr. Albert J. Beutler, Ph.D., residing in South Bend, IN, passed away at 10:45 p.m. Sunday, December 23, 2018 at the age of 89 years old. He was born February 20, 1929 in Osceola, IN, a son of the late Jacob R. and Florence M. (Enders) Beutler and has lived in this community most of his life.
Rev. Beutler attended Bethel College with the inaugural freshman class and graduated in 1951 with a degree in Biblical Literature and Psychology. Immediately following graduation, he became dean of men and dean of students, and later the school’s first men’s basketball coach in 1958.
In 1966, he became Bethel’s first Alumnus of the Year after leaving Bethel to become dean of student services and Indiana University in South Bend, a role he held until 1974. He would later return to Bethel to serve as the third president of Bethel from 1974-1982. He is credited with constructing the Dining Commons and the Eastwood Apartments.
He is also credited with the foundational work for the Otis and Elizabeth Bowen Library. In addition, he is responsible for eliminating operation debt, increasing assets by 60 percent, creating an associate degree with 11 concentration areas and a master’s degree in Christian education. Affiliation agreements were initiated with the University of Notre Dame, Ball State University, and the South Bend Medical Foundation for programs in engineering, nursing and medical technology.
These initiatives helped to continue Bethel’s good rapport with the broader community. He was twice named “Sagamore of the Wabash,” first by Indiana Governor Otis R. Bowen in 1979, and later by Governor Robert D. Orr in 1985. In 1985 he was named Administrator at Saginaw Valley State University in Michigan, where an Endowed Lectureship, “The Albert J. Beutler Forums on Ethics and Practice was established by SVSU in 1995.
On September 3, 1950 at the Wakarusa Missionary Church, Wakarusa, IN he was united in marriage to Barbara Jean Heeter. He is survived by his loving wife Barbara of 68 years. Also surviving are two daughters, Nancy E. (George) Bassett of South Bend; and Amy J. (Matthew) Baron of Greer, SC; and his son, Rev.
Stephen A. (Jayna) Beutler of Noblesville, IN. He is also survived by six grandchildren, Angela M. (Matt) Fraling, Andrew J. (Kim) Bassett, Jason R. (Kendra) Beutler, Sara J. (Chris) Worley, Stephanie J. (Daniel) Freemyer, and Elyse D. Baron, along with twelve great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by brothers, Robert J. Beutler and Wayne L. Beutler, and half brothers, Charles L. Yoder, and Harold D. Yoder.
Throughout the years, Rev. Beutler served on numerous professional, educational, church and community service boards, and received many awards and honors. He was a member of Hillside Missionary Church in South Bend, member and past president of Mishawaka Lions Club, where he chaired the Campaign Sight First II Campaign that raised over $40,000 for sight preservation in 2005-06.
He also served on the board of St. Joseph County Scholarship Foundation 1997-2010. In 2013, Bethel College named the Athletic Hall of Fame the Dr. Albert J. Beutler Hall of Fame. Services celebrating Albert Beutler’s remarkable life will be at 12:30 p.m. Saturday, December 29, 2018 at the Rotunda of the Everest-Rohrer Fine Arts Building on the campus of Bethel College, 1001 Bethel Drive, Mishawaka, IN.
The family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. until noon at the Rotunda. Graveside services and burial will follow at Olive East Cemetery, Wakarusa, IN. Expressions of sympathy may be offered to Bethel College, or to Mishawaka Lions Club, P.O. Box 22, Mishawaka, IN 46546.
Arrangements for the Beutler family are under the care and direction of the Palmer Funeral Home-River Park Chapel, South Bend. Online condolences for the family may be left at www. palmerfuneralhomes.com.
Donations may be made to: Bethel College Institutional Advancement, 1001 Bethel Circle, Mishawaka IN 46545 Email: advancement@bethelcollege. edu Web: www. bethelcollege.
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