Stutzman, Howard Eldon (1929-2009)

Howard Eldon Stutzman: physician and civic leader; born 17 August 1929 to Samuel Stutzman (30 December 1890-18 March 1974) and Barbara (Slagell) Stutzman (5 January 1896-19 March 1992) in Hydro, Oklahoma. He was the youngest child in a family of three girls and three boys. On 17 July 1955 he married Carolyn Frost (1928- ); they had one son. Howard died 18 December 2009 in La Junta, Colorado.

Raised in Hydro, Oklahoma, Howard Stutzman attended high school in Weatherford, Oklahoma and the Hesston Academy in Hesston, Kansas. Following graduation, he farmed with his father for several years, then did Voluntary Service in Gulfport, Mississippi and also Brook Lane Farm in Hagerstown, Maryland where he worked on the farm and also as an orderly. During his service at Brook Lane in 1950, he was attracted to a medical career.

In 1953 Howard began nurses' training at Kansas City General Hospital, Kansas City, Missouri, and obtained the R.N. degree. The next stop was Bethel College, North Newton, Kansas where Howard earned a B.S. degree before moving on to the University of Kansas School of Medicine. Howard obtained his M.D. in 1962.

Dr. Howard Stutzman's first practice was in La Jara, Colorado. In 1965 he moved with his family to La Junta, Colorado and established a general practice at Loma Vista Medical clinic where he served the community for 30 years until his retirement. During this time he delivered 2,500 babies. In addition to practicing medicine, Howard was pleased to serve in many church and community boards through the years. He served as a board member of the Arkansas Valley Regional Medical Center (AVRMC) for over 22 years, and as its chair for four years. He also served as Chief of Staff for AVRMC. Howard also served on the Community Health Council of the Colorado Medical Society. Over the years he helped in community organizations such as Arkansas Valley Hospice, AVRMC Home Health, Arkansas Valley Resource Center, Board of Directors of the Colorado Boy's Ranch and the first Board of the Girch Center (now Arkansas Valley Community Center.) He was a member of the Rotary Club and served a term as its president. He was a member of the Colorado East Bank and Trust Board of Directors.

Stutzman was an active member of Emmanuel Mennonite Church, and served as chair of the Church Board and also as a Sunday school teacher. He was a member of the Board of Overseers of Hesston College, Hesston, Kansas and also served on the board of Bethel College, North Newton, Kansas.  Howard helped with the vision and reality of Casa del Sol Retirement Center acting as Chairman of the local board until 2007.

Howard Stutzman was praised by his peers for his ability to help shape attainable visions for substantial projects like the Casa de Sol Retirement Center "because he understood human aspirations and the business complexities that could make this attainable." He is buried at the Fairview Cemetery in La Junta.

Bibliography

Goertz, Adalbert. "Dr. Howard Stutzman." 2010. Web. 26 February 2010. http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=47352865.

"Howard Eldon Stutzman." SAGA (Swiss Anabaptist Genealogical Association) Genealogical Website. November 2009. Web. 26 February 2010. http://saga.ncweb.com/TNG71/getperson.php?personID=I271769&tree=Hostetler.

Author(s)	Adalbert Goertz
Date Published	February 2010

Cite This Article

MLA style

Goertz, Adalbert. "Stutzman, Howard Eldon (1929-2009)." Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. February 2010. Web. 18 Apr 2024. https://gameo.org/index.php?title=Stutzman,_Howard_Eldon_(1929-2009)&oldid=160414.

APA style

Goertz, Adalbert. (February 2010). Stutzman, Howard Eldon (1929-2009). Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. Retrieved 18 April 2024, from https://gameo.org/index.php?title=Stutzman,_Howard_Eldon_(1929-2009)&oldid=160414.

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