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2012-02-01 issue:

Gene Herr, retreat center founder, dies at 79

by Mennonite Weekly Review

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HESSTON, Kan.—Herbert Eugene (Gene) Herr, 79, founder of The Hermitage retreat center at Three Rivers, Mich., died Jan. 1 of complications related to cancer.

Herr and Mary, his wife, founded The Hermitage in 1985. Endorsed by Indiana-Michigan Conference and Mennonite Church USA, the retreat center is a place for silent retreats, spiritual formation and walks along wooded trails. They worked there as directors until retiring in 2001.

Herr was ordained May 15, 1955, while serving as pastor at Kingview Mennonite Church in Scottdale, Pa. He then became national youth fellowship director for the Mennonite Church, serving from 1955 to 1966. He later served as pastor at Pleasant Valley Mennonite Church in Harper, Kan., as director of Christian education at College Mennonite Church in Goshen, Ind., and co-director of the Phoenix Discipleship and Service program of Mennonite Board of Missions.

Herr graduated from Goshen College with a degree in Bible, took courses at Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary, Elkhart, Ind., received a master’s degree in religious education from Phillips University, Enid, Okla., a master’s degree in divinity from Notre Dame University, South Bend, Ind., and studied at St. Paul (Minn.) School of Theology.