Richard Druckenbrod

Richard Druckenbrod (May 29, 1929 — October 27, 2003) was a 20th century Pennsylvania German language teacher, historian, pastor, and writer.[1]

Formative years and family

Born in Reading, Pennsylvania in the United States on May 29, 1929, Druckenbrod was a son of Harry E. Druckenbrod and Kathryn (Reisch) Druckenbrod. A graduate of Denver High School in Denver, Pennsylvania in 1947, he subsequently graduated from Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.[2][3]

In 1951, he was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship for study at the University of Graz in Austria.[4] Returning from Austria, he studied at Lancaster Theological Seminary and was ordained by the United Church of Christ in 1954.

His wife, Norma Jane, preceded him in death in 1991. They were the parents of one son.[5]

Career

Druckenbrod served as president of the Pennsylvania German Society from 1980 to 1992 and authored the column, "Es Deitsch Schtick," in The Morning Call newspaper in Allentown, Pennsylvania from February 13, 1978 to July 29, 1985.[6]

A frequent preacher at church services in the Pennsylvania German dialect and a speaker at Fersommling gatherings, Druckenbrod's dialect pseudonym was Pit Schweffelbrenner. His final major appointment as pastor was at St. John's United Church of Christ in Howertown, where he served until 1980. He continued his ministry through subsequent appointments as an interim and supply pastor for nearly two additional decades, ultimately retiring in 1998.[7]

He also worked as a professor of theology at Cedar Crest College in Allentown and as a professor in the Chemistry Department at Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

Awards and other honors

In 1991, Druckenbrod was recognized by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for his efforts to revitalize Pennsylvania German history.[8]

Death

Druckenbrod died at the Lehigh Valley Hospital Center in Allentown on October 27, 2003. He was seventy-four years old.[9][10]

Bibliography
  • Mir Schwetz Deitsch: A Guide for Learning the Skills of Reading, Writing and Speaking Pennsylvania German (1977)
  • Mir Lanne Deitsch: A Guide for Learning the Skills of Reading, Writing and Speaking Pennsylvania German (1981, 1997)
  • Earl C. Haag, A Pennsylvania German Anthology (1988) ISBN 9780941664295

References
  1. "The Rev. Richard Druckenbrod, 74, UCC minister." Lancaster, Pensylvania: Intelligencer Journal, October 30, 2003, p. B12 (subscription required).
  2. "Lancaster New Era from Lancaster, Pennsylvania on October 16, 1981 · 15". Newspapers.com. 16 October 1981. Retrieved 2022-03-30.
  3. "The Rev. Richard Druckenbrod, 74, UCC minister," Intelligencer Journal, October 30, 2003.
  4. "Druckenbrod F&M Scholarship Winner," Lancaster Intelligencer Journal, May 17, 1951, p. 2.
  5. "The Rev. Richard Druckenbrod, 74, UCC minister," Intelligencer Journal, October 30, 2003.
  6. "The Rev. Richard Druckenbrod, 74, UCC minister," Intelligencer Journal, October 30, 2003.
  7. "The Rev. Richard Druckenbrod, 74, UCC minister," Intelligencer Journal, October 30, 2003.
  8. "The Rev. Richard Druckenbrod, 74, UCC minister," Intelligencer Journal, October 30, 2003.
  9. Obituary, The Morning Call, October 30, 2003.
  10. "The Rev. Richard Druckenbrod, 74, UCC minister," Intelligencer Journal, October 30, 2003.
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