In the Footsteps of Giants

Sometimes we can’t see them…..

If you walk up the front steps to Wesley Chapel, you cross some.

At first glance, you might assume that you are seeing the footprints of John Wesley. But, if you look past the statue and focus in on the steps which lead to the door of the chapel, you will see another name……..

In Memorium

Edward L. Boetticher

Let us unite the two so long divided, knowledge and vital piety. John Wesley

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We may know that John Wesley was the founder of Methodism. He, and the beautiful statue of him on the WVWC campus, will be the topic of another blog another day.  But who in the world is Edward L. Boetticher?

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Edward L. Boetticher the Student

Edward was very active on campus. He also graduated in only three years!

Edward’s campus activities included:

• As a member and First Vice President of Alpha Gamma Phi Fraternity (forerunner of Kappa Alpha Fraternity), Edward lived in the house at 49 South Florida. Faculty advisers and hosts were Nicholas Hyma and Edgar Sorton. Housemother was Mrs. Maude Mick.
• Edward was a member of the Chrestomathaean Literary Society, and the Vice President of the Cutshall Literary Society in 1926. (This organization was reorganized into an Honorary Fraternity for students with high academic achievement and Boetticher was the President during the second semester 1926-27.)
• Lyceum Course Manager 1925, 1926
• Men’s Glee Club, Treasurer 1925; President 1924; Vice President 1925-26
• Ministerial Association member. This group prepared for the task of ministry and aided each other in deepening their own spiritual lives.
• Murmurmontis Business Manager, 1925
• Pharos Reporter, 1924
• Student Council
• Wesleyan Players, Treasurer 1926
• Y.M.C.A.

His education did not stop at that time.

• 1926 West Virginia Wesleyan College, A.B.
• 1929 Boston University, S.T.B.
• 1930 University of Pittsburgh, M.A.
• 1942 West Virginia Wesleyan College, Hon. DD

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Edward L Boetticher the Methodist Minister

Edward met his future wife, Gayzelle Rusk (College Class of 1925), while at Wesleyan. She was a member of many of the same organizations. She also served as a school teacher after graduating with her degree from the Normal School in 1922.

Together they shared a life of ministry. Edward’s ministerial footprints included:

• Licensed to Preach 1924
• 1925-26  Conway/Glenfield
• 1926-27 In School
• 1926 Admitted on Trial Methodist Episcopal Pittsburgh Conference
• 1928 Full Member of Methodist Episcopal Pittsburgh Conference
• 1928 Ordained Deacon
• 1928-31 Pittsburgh: McCandless Avenue
• 1929 Ordained Elder
• 1931-35 Pittsburgh: Beechview
• 1935-40 Monessen: First
• 1940-56 New Kensington: First
• 1956-62 Superintendent: Blairsville District
• 1962 Member Methodist Western Pennsylvania Conference at Merger
• 1962-December 15, 1963 Executive Secretary: Conference Board of Missions/Church Extension

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Edward L. Boetticher the Trustee

From 1949-1965, Edward served as a Trustee at West Virginia Wesleyan College. His love for the school and the church combined to make him a very active trustee. Earlier catalogs listed the committees on which the Trustees served. Edward’s list included:

• Alumni Relations 1954-1959
• Executive 1959-1960
• History, Archives and Fine Arts 1956-1959
• Instruction 1949-1952
• Policy and Planning 1955-1956; 1957-1959
• Religion 1955-1957

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Edward L. Boetticher in Memoriam

Edward died on December 15, 1963 just as the campus was experiencing great growth. His widow, Gayzelle, honored him by providing memorials in a few different areas.

This plaque, just inside the door of the Meditation Chapel, indicates that Gayzelle Rusk Boetticher established the marble altar in Edward’s memory. There was considerable work and reinforcement of the floors needed for that project.

As mentioned above, Edward’s name is carved into the very steps leading to the front door of Wesley Chapel, and includes a quote from John Wesley about the importance of linking education and spiritual matters — both of which were extremely important to Edward as well as to John Wesley.

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Edward the Family Member

Curiosity about his family background led Edward to Washington, D.C. in 1938 to meet with Lt. General Frederick Von Boetticher, the German military attache. This meeting led to wonderful conversations and a visit with long lost cousins in Germany after World War II was concluded.

At one such visit, in 1952, Edward was presented with the Von Boetticher Crucifix. This item, dating from about 1356, had been passed down through the generations of the family from that time forward. There had always been at least one in each generation to go into the ministry. To read more about this amazing artifact, click here.

Dr. Boetticher returned from his European travels with the crucifix. It remained in his home until his death in 1963 when his widow, Mrs. Gayzelle Rusk Boetticher, decided that it more appropriately should be placed in the new chapel of the couple’s beloved alma mater.

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Edward L. Boetticher was a

• follower of Christ
• student of John Wesley
• student and alumus and trustee of West Virginia Wesleyan College
• seeker of his family footsteps

And we follow in his.