Lowell Detweiler, 88, died March 1, 2025, at Landis Homes, Lititz, Pa. He spent most of his life working and traveling for Mennonite Central Committee and Mennonite Disaster Service.
Born to Oren and Nettie Miller Detweiler in Fairview, Mich., he earned teaching degrees from Goshen College and Tuskegee Institute. He taught for 12 years, including MCC assignments in Newfoundland and Tanzania.
In 1957 he married Ruth Kauffman from West Liberty, Ohio. From 1959 to 1961 they taught in a Newfoundland fishing village two-room school. They returned to West Liberty, and two children joined them. When Cheryl was 6 and Steve was 3, they moved to Tanzania for three years with MCC’s Teachers Abroad Program. During holiday breaks, they enjoyed East African safaris, and Lowell climbed Mount Kilimanjaro.
In 1971, Lowell began working in human resources at MCC’s Akron, Pa., headquarters and invited many to meaningful Christian service around the world. The family attended Akron Mennonite Church, where he held numerous positions over the years. Lowell was director of MDS from 1986 to 1998. At MCC’s invitation, he traveled to help set up earthquake response programs in Japan and Armenia.
In 1998 he stepped down from MDS leadership to write a book about MDS’s first 50 years. The Hammer Rings Hope was the culmination of a life of service and a reminder that we all can bring hope through service to others. Since 1998 Lowell had many roles and volunteer projects at MCC, MDS, Ephrata ReUzit Stores and Landis Homes, where they moved in 2011.
He is survived by children Cheryl (Brent Kaufman) of Grafton, Vt., and Steve (Barbara Perry) of Akron, Pa.; a granddaughter; and siblings John (Luetta) of Fairview, Mich., and Reuel (Joy) of Goshen, Ind.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth; an infant son, Douglas Keith; his parents; siblings Carl (Janet) Detweiler, Mary (Lawrence) Wyse and Lucille Detweiler, all of Michigan; and sister-in-law Sara Detweiler of Goshen.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. May 3 at Akron Mennonite Church. Contributions may be designated to MDS or the Landis Homes Caring Fund.
