Anglemeyer Education Scholarship Fund

Harold Anglemyer was born into teaching, and his wife Elizabeth (Luft) Anglemyer maintained a quiet passion for her role as an educator for 48 years.

The Elkhart, Indiana couple wanted to pass on a lifelong enthusiasm for teaching beyond sharing their skills in the classroom.  Inspired by a million dollar gift to Goshen College from Mrs. Anglemyer’s first cousin, the Anglemyers wrote the school into their will, according to their estate executor, in a way that reflected what “meant a lot to them” – education.

The Anglemyer’s gift came to light upon their deaths in 1995 (Harold in April and Elizabeth in September).  The Anglemyers were frugal people who had worked hard to pay for their education.  “They wanted to help future students – perhaps their nieces.  Harold and Elizabeth wanted to encourage students who want to be teachers

Harold Anglemyer, born June 17, 1908, to Mervin and Mary Anglemyer of rural Nappanee, had “teaching in his blood,” according to his brother Frank.  “Our father and grandfather were both teachers,” he added.

Harold worked at a Nappanee grocery store for a year after graduating from Nappanee High School in order to make enough money to attend college.

It was at Manchester College, where he received his teaching credentials, that he met Elizabeth Luft.  She grew up on the other side of Elkhart County in Vistula, Indiana, a small burg northeast of Bristol, Indiana.  Elizabeth graduated from Middlebury High School.

After they married in 1931, Harold and Elizabeth taught in Elkhart County schools, including those in York, Union and Jefferson Townships.

Elizabeth decided to again become a student herself in the early 1950s, and received a teaching degree from Goshen College in 1953.  Harold, who took courses at GC, received a master’s degree in education from the University of Michigan and was a member of Phi Delta Kappa Fraternity.

The Anglemyers eventually took teaching jobs in Elkhart.  Elizabeth taught at Rice and Willowdale Elementary Schools for a total of 22 years in addition to her 26 years for York Township schools;  Harold retired as counselor of Northside Junior High School in 1970.

Rural residents at heart, the Anglemyers spent their summers in Vistula.  Harold and Elizabeth also showed their interest in environmental concerns by planting trees for harvesting on 40 acres adjacent to Eby Pines in Bristol.  When the trees got too big to cut, they turned their land into a forest preserve.

The Anglemyers were also dedicated to stewardship at their church, Vistula Christian Church; both are buried in the church’s cemetery.