Bechtel, Paul M. (1957-1998)

Person

Staff Only

Dates

Existence: 1957 - 1998

Biographical Statement

Paul Moyer Bechtel, the son of Henry M. and Eva Reid Bechtel, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on December 13, 1909.

Bechtel was a 1932 graduate of Juniata College. After completing his undergraduate studies Bechtel taught high school English in Waynesboro, Pennsylvania. He continued his studies at Cornell University, receiving a master’s degree in 1936. He began teaching English at Wheaton College in 1946. While teaching, Bechtel worked on and received his Ph.D. from Northwestern University. His dissertation was titled Treasury of Devotional Literature. He served as chairman of the English department from 1966-75. Bechtel was granted a Fulbright professorship at Istanbul University during the 1968-69 academic year.

After his retirement from teaching in 1975 Bechtel served as Assistant to President of Bibles for the World, 1977, for which he served as editor for a Bible series. After his retirement Bechtel also took on several other editing projects like the ten volume Confessions of St. Augustine or Thomas a Kempis’ Imitation of Christ, both for Moody Press. He was also asked to research and write the official history of Wheaton College for its Quasquicentennial, or 125th anniversary. This book was titled Wheaton College: a heritage remembered and was published in 1984.

In 1948 Bechtel married Mary Krom and together they raised four children. After a long battle with cancer Bechtel died on January 15, 1998.

Citation:

Author: Wheaton College Archives & Special Collections staff

Found in 2 Collections and/or Records:

Collection 283 Oral History Interviews with Nancy Folkerts

Collection

Identifier: CN 283

Scope and Contents Oral history interviews with Nancy Wood Folkerts. Topics discussed include her childhood as a pastor's daughter; study at Wheaton College; her marriage; training in London; work as a missionary in British Cameroon (now Republic of Cameroon), especially Bible study and literacy programs for women and 3H clubs for girls; the political and social situation in Cameroon; Cameroon independence; medical problems in Cameroon; the work of her husband, Fred, at the Baptist Teacher Training College and...

Dates: Created: 1984

Found in: Evangelism & Missions Archives / Collection 283 Oral History Interviews with Nancy Folkerts

Paul Bechtel Papers

Collection

Identifier: SC-081

Scope and Contents The bulk of the Paul M. Bechtel Papers is devoted to various drafts and proofs of his published manuscript, Wheaton College: A Heritage Remembered, contained in large record center boxes. One half-size document case contains book reviews and articles written by Bechtel (or co-authored with his wife, Mary). Also included are class notes, and material for "Treasury of Devotional Literature," a proposed book based on Bechtel's Ph.D thesis. The Paul M. Bechtel Papers (SC-81) is composed of five...

Dates: Created: 1957-1979; Other: Date acquired: 1976

Found in: Special Collections / Paul Bechtel Papers

Archives of Wheaton College