This article is from the EMU News Archive. Current EMU new is available at www.emu.edu/news

Former EMU Coach Passes Away

Eugene R. Hostetler

Eugene R. Hostetler, a former physical education instructor and coach at EMU, died of cancer Apr. 9, 2006, at his home in Park View. He was 74.

Hostetler was appointed to a faculty position in physical education in 1957 and served until 1967. He was the school's first men's soccer coach, 1965-66, compiling a record of 6-4-2, and the first men’s basketball coach, 1966-67, finishing 2-12.

Unofficial records indicate that Hostetler coached a team in a three-game schedule against Madison and Messiah colleges in 1962.

'A dedicated colleague'

"Eugene Hostetler was a good coach in a day when athletics were in their early development at the college," said Myron S. Augsburger, who was president during part of Hostetler's tenure. "He was a dedicated colleague on the faculty, a man of Christian commitment and a very giving person in the encouragement of his students."

Hostetler served in recent years as a member of the EMU "Hall of Honor" committee, recognizing outstanding student-athletes each year, and was himself named a "silver anniversary" inductee in 2003 in recognition of his teaching and coaching service in the department of physical education and athletics.

A 1957 EMU graduate, Hostetler earned a masters degree from George Peabody College for Teachers, Nashville, Tenn., in 1965.

Hostetler lived in the Silver Spring and Highland, Md., areas from 1967 until 1997 and taught at Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School, J.F. Kennedy High School and Montgomery Hills Junior High School. The family returned to Harrisonburg the fall of 1997.

Hostetler was born Feb. 3, 1932 in Johnstown, Pa. On Dec. 22, 1956, he married the former Mary Naomi Mast, who survives. He is also survived by five daughters, four brothers, four sisters and 16 grandchildren.

The funeral was held Apr. 12 at Ridgeway Mennonite Church in Harrisonburg, where he was a member, with burial in the Lindale Mennonite Church cemetary.

— article by: Jim Bishop; posted April 12, 2006