Mbuya Noas and Fremont Regier in corn fertilizer test plot, Congo, 1966. (Commision on Overseas Mission file photo from Mennonite Church USA Archives)
Download high-resolution photo.
Melanie Hess
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
NORTH NEWTON, Kan. (Mennonite Mission Network) — Fremont Regier was a farm boy from Kansas who took his love for God's people and creation halfway around the world.


As a mission worker in multiple African countries, Regier was known for his love and respect for his brothers and sisters around the globe.

“Fremont will always be remembered for his insight, his critical thinking, his penchant for asking hard questions and his respect and collaboration with African colleagues,” said Steve Wiebe-Johnson, Mennonite Mission Network’s director for Africa. “He is well remembered by many friends in Africa.”

Regier, 74, died of prostate and bone cancer on Thursday, May 27, 2010 at his home in North Newton, Kan.

Fremont was born on Aug. 7, 1935, in Newton, to Alfred and Ione (Ayers) Regier.
He grew up in the rural Whitewater, Kan., community and was nurtured by the faith of his family, farming and 4-H activities.

He was baptized at Emmaus Mennonite Church in Whitewater on May 13, 1951, and continued to follow Jesus and grow in a spirituality shaped by rich life experience and participation in diverse faith communities.

Regier graduated from Berean Academy and studied at Bethel College. He earned a B.S. in animal science and an M.S. in animal nutrition from Kansas State University, and later a Ph.D in adult and Extension education at the University of Wisconsin.

Early in his life, Regier sensed a call to mission and served two years with the PAX program in Belgian Congo before marrying Sara M. Janzen on Sept. 9, 1957, at Zion Mennonite Church in Elbing, Kan.

Together they served with Commission on Overseas Mission of the former General Conference Mennonite Church (a predecessor agency of Mennonite Mission Network), Africa Inter-Mennonite Mission and Mennonite Central Committee in Mexico (1961 to 1963), Congo/Zaire (1965 to 1976), Botswana (1981 to 1985) Mozambique (1993 to 1996) and Zimbabwe (1997 to 2000).

Regier’s work grew out of love and mutual respect. Fremont always approached the Congolese around him as fellow human beings. There never was the slightest trace of condescension in his manner or his relations with them,” wrote Jim Bertsche, who served with the Regiers in Congo. “He saw them as fellow pilgrims with their own legitimate hopes and aspirations and he did all he could to help them achieve them.”

Regier’s farm life in Kansas served him well in Congo, explained Bertsche, where his innovative nature made him the ideal person to demonstrate practical farming skills. He worked with blight-resistant manioc plantings in his garden plots, showed villagers how to raise rabbits using primarily the resources at hand, and opened a ‘farm store’ stocked with basics that villagers needed in their day-to-day agricultural routines.

Trained in adult education, Regier was one of the first development workers, and he saw this development work as an integral part of mission presence and witness. “Early on he instituted the custom of early morning devotionals with all of his [workers],” wrote Bertsche, “where, for about 15 minutes, they would reflect together on a passage of Scripture and pray for wisdom and for the Lord's blessing upon the work which lay ahead of them that day.”

Fremont loved fishing, woodworking, bird-watching, playing tennis, traveling, telling stories and jokes, spending time with family and friends and learning to know people.

Bertsche reflected on Regier’s lively sense of humor.

“He was not above playing pranks upon his fellow missionaries when the occasion presented itself while somehow maintaining a bland, innocent appearance,” he said.

Fremont Regier is survived by his wife, Sara; two sons, Charles (Cynthia) and Nathan (Julie), one daughter, Heidi (David) Kreider; four grandsons and four granddaughters; and a sister, Louvina (Lou). He was preceded in death by his parents, Alfred and Ione Regier, and sister Donice Kelly.

 

 

 Related articles

 

 

Teachers become students in IndiaTheological Educationhttps://www.mennonitemission.net/news/5001/Teachers-become-students-in-IndiaTeachers become students in IndiaGP0|#52c46992-a072-4af3-b006-834f7e8b9cb1;L0|#052c46992-a072-4af3-b006-834f7e8b9cb1|News;GTSet|#544fcc8d-5de2-49c8-9d51-afee09323476Kolkata
Rethinking "Thanksgiving"Thanksgiving Dayhttps://www.mennonitemission.net/news/5009/Rethinking-ThanksgivingRethinking "Thanksgiving"GP0|#52c46992-a072-4af3-b006-834f7e8b9cb1;L0|#052c46992-a072-4af3-b006-834f7e8b9cb1|News;GTSet|#544fcc8d-5de2-49c8-9d51-afee09323476
Mennonites in Ecuador reach out as their country strugglesPeacebuildinghttps://www.mennonitemission.net/news/5000/Mennonites-in-Ecuador-reach-outMennonites in Ecuador reach out as their country strugglesGP0|#52c46992-a072-4af3-b006-834f7e8b9cb1;L0|#052c46992-a072-4af3-b006-834f7e8b9cb1|News;GTSet|#544fcc8d-5de2-49c8-9d51-afee09323476
Couple experiences shalom and community across the United StatesSOOPVideohttps://www.mennonitemission.net/news/4928/Couple-experiences-shalom-and-communityCouple experiences shalom and community across the United StatesGP0|#52c46992-a072-4af3-b006-834f7e8b9cb1;L0|#052c46992-a072-4af3-b006-834f7e8b9cb1|News;GTSet|#544fcc8d-5de2-49c8-9d51-afee09323476
Mission worker shared faith through Anabaptist scholarshipObituaryhttps://www.mennonitemission.net/news/4997/Mission-worker-shared-faith-through-Anabaptist-scholarshipMission worker shared faith through Anabaptist scholarshipGP0|#52c46992-a072-4af3-b006-834f7e8b9cb1;L0|#052c46992-a072-4af3-b006-834f7e8b9cb1|News;GTSet|#544fcc8d-5de2-49c8-9d51-afee09323476
Mission worker remembered for a ministry of presence in India and the United StatesObituaryhttps://www.mennonitemission.net/news/4996/Mission-worker-remembered-for-a-ministry-of-presence-in-India-and-the-United-StatesMission worker remembered for a ministry of presence in India and the United StatesGP0|#52c46992-a072-4af3-b006-834f7e8b9cb1;L0|#052c46992-a072-4af3-b006-834f7e8b9cb1|News;GTSet|#544fcc8d-5de2-49c8-9d51-afee09323476
An adoptee who invites othersLeadershiphttps://www.mennonitemission.net/news/4993/An-adoptee-who-invites-othersAn adoptee who invites othersGP0|#52c46992-a072-4af3-b006-834f7e8b9cb1;L0|#052c46992-a072-4af3-b006-834f7e8b9cb1|News;GTSet|#544fcc8d-5de2-49c8-9d51-afee09323476
Markers commemorate Bodéwadmi-Myaamia Trail in northern IndianaBodéwadmi-Myaamia Trailhttps://www.mennonitemission.net/news/4992/Markers-commemorate-Bodéwadmi-Myaamia-Trail-in-northern-IndianaMarkers commemorate Bodéwadmi-Myaamia Trail in northern IndianaGP0|#52c46992-a072-4af3-b006-834f7e8b9cb1;L0|#052c46992-a072-4af3-b006-834f7e8b9cb1|News;GTSet|#544fcc8d-5de2-49c8-9d51-afee09323476Elkhart, Indiana
Ramers serve in the big city and the wildernessSOOPhttps://www.mennonitemission.net/news/4991/Ramers-serve-in-the-big-city-and-the-wildernessRamers serve in the big city and the wildernessGP0|#52c46992-a072-4af3-b006-834f7e8b9cb1;L0|#052c46992-a072-4af3-b006-834f7e8b9cb1|News;GTSet|#544fcc8d-5de2-49c8-9d51-afee09323476Montreal, Québec
Harmony: A compendium of peace storiesInternational Day of Peacehttps://www.mennonitemission.net/news/4985/HarmonyHarmony: A compendium of peace storiesGP0|#52c46992-a072-4af3-b006-834f7e8b9cb1;L0|#052c46992-a072-4af3-b006-834f7e8b9cb1|News;GTSet|#544fcc8d-5de2-49c8-9d51-afee09323476
First memorial signage of Bodewadmi Myaamia Trail to be installed September 29Press releasehttps://www.mennonitemission.net/news/4979/First-memorial-signage-of-Bodewadmi-Myaamia-Trail-to-be-installedFirst memorial signage of Bodewadmi Myaamia Trail to be installed September 29GP0|#52c46992-a072-4af3-b006-834f7e8b9cb1;L0|#052c46992-a072-4af3-b006-834f7e8b9cb1|News;GTSet|#544fcc8d-5de2-49c8-9d51-afee09323476Indiana
Service Adventure units welcome new participantsService Adventurehttps://www.mennonitemission.net/news/4974/Service-Adventure-units-welcome-new-participantsService Adventure units welcome new participantsGP0|#52c46992-a072-4af3-b006-834f7e8b9cb1;L0|#052c46992-a072-4af3-b006-834f7e8b9cb1|News;GTSet|#544fcc8d-5de2-49c8-9d51-afee09323476
Apache Stronghold continues prayerful struggle to protect sacred placesPeace and justicehttps://www.mennonitemission.net/news/4973/Apache-Stronghold-continues-prayerful-struggleApache Stronghold continues prayerful struggle to protect sacred placesGP0|#52c46992-a072-4af3-b006-834f7e8b9cb1;L0|#052c46992-a072-4af3-b006-834f7e8b9cb1|News;GTSet|#544fcc8d-5de2-49c8-9d51-afee09323476Arizona
Greening the faith: students plant avocado trees in GuatemalaStewardshiphttps://www.mennonitemission.net/news/4962/Greening-the-faithGreening the faith: students plant avocado trees in GuatemalaGP0|#52c46992-a072-4af3-b006-834f7e8b9cb1;L0|#052c46992-a072-4af3-b006-834f7e8b9cb1|News;GTSet|#544fcc8d-5de2-49c8-9d51-afee09323476Chamelco, Alta Verapaz
Celebration of life in community carries on Service Adventure lifestyleCycles of Lifehttps://www.mennonitemission.net/news/4961/Celebration-of-life-in-community-carries-on-Service-Adventure-lifestyleCelebration of life in community carries on Service Adventure lifestyleGP0|#52c46992-a072-4af3-b006-834f7e8b9cb1;L0|#052c46992-a072-4af3-b006-834f7e8b9cb1|News;GTSet|#544fcc8d-5de2-49c8-9d51-afee09323476

 

 

 Related

 

 

Teachers become students in Indiahttps://www.mennonitemission.net/news/5001/Teachers-become-students-in-IndiaTeachers become students in India
Rethinking "Thanksgiving"https://www.mennonitemission.net/news/5009/Rethinking-ThanksgivingRethinking "Thanksgiving"
Mennonites in Ecuador reach out as their country struggleshttps://www.mennonitemission.net/news/5000/Mennonites-in-Ecuador-reach-outMennonites in Ecuador reach out as their country struggles
Couple experiences shalom and community across the United Stateshttps://www.mennonitemission.net/news/4928/Couple-experiences-shalom-and-communityCouple experiences shalom and community across the United States
Mission worker shared faith through Anabaptist scholarshiphttps://www.mennonitemission.net/news/4997/Mission-worker-shared-faith-through-Anabaptist-scholarshipMission worker shared faith through Anabaptist scholarship
Mission worker remembered for a ministry of presence in India and the United Stateshttps://www.mennonitemission.net/news/4996/Mission-worker-remembered-for-a-ministry-of-presence-in-India-and-the-United-StatesMission worker remembered for a ministry of presence in India and the United States



 

 

We followers of Jesus not only gather to pray, but also to enjoy lifehttps://www.mennonitemission.net/blog/5014/We-followers-of-JesusWe followers of Jesus not only gather to pray, but also to enjoy lifeAdvent Devotional
Service Adventure as a gap yearhttps://www.mennonitemission.net/video/5004/Service-Adventure-as-a-gap-yearService Adventure as a gap yearGap year!
'Action expresses priorities'https://www.mennonitemission.net/beyond/5013/Action-expresses-priorities'Action expresses priorities'Called to peacemaking
Take your career for a test-drive with MVS!https://www.mennonitemission.net/video/4982/Take-your-career-for-a-test-drive-with-MVSTake your career for a test-drive with MVS!MVS Minute
Teachers become students in Indiahttps://www.mennonitemission.net/news/5001/Teachers-become-students-in-IndiaTeachers become students in IndiaTheological Education
A Congolese pastor overcomes fear of preaching in remote communitieshttps://www.mennonitemission.net/blog/5012/A-Congolese-pastor-overcomes-fear-of-preaching-in-remote-communitiesA Congolese pastor overcomes fear of preaching in remote communitiesGod's grace