Former mission worker registered as sex offender

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• Posted by jayson at Sunday, March 29, 2009 at 12:28 PM

  How did Andrew Eggman become an trusted volunteer at Eastern Mennonite University (EMU), join Virginia Mennonite Missions while rumors were circulating, and get only two months in jail for secretly filming sex acts of EMU international students with one of his young sons? It’s all relative (that is, who your relatives are). On page three of the May 2005 newsletter of the Virginia Mennonite Board of Missions (VMBM) and Virginia Mennonite Conference (VMC) (www.vmconf.org/connections/2005/may.pdf) Andrew Eggman opens a brief article by writing, “I have been approved by VMBM to return to China with my wife Lisa (Suter) and our son Jeremy in July to teach for a year.” This opening sentence seems innocent enough but closer examination reveals that it explains much of the unaccountable abuse that Eggman was nearly able to get away with before his March 10 prison sentence of 10 years – which, as part of the plea agreement, waives 9 years and 10 months. The Eggman’s were married in 1983. Lisa Eggman did not take her husband’s last name. Why, 22 years later, would Andrew Eggman, the VMBM, the VBC, and the readers of Eggman’s article find reference to his wife’s maiden name significant? The answer is quite simple. Lisa Ann Eggman (Suter) comes from one of the most influential families in the history of Eastern Mennonite University (EMU) and the North American Mennonite church. Lisa’s side of Andrew Eggman’s family tree matches closely the names of buildings at EMU (http://www.emu.edu/map/emu-campus-map-2007.pdf) with three Suter buildings, a Blosser building, and a Brunk building. Key members of the Eggman family tree: - Andrew Eggman’s grandfather-in-law was the younger brother of John Early Suter - EMU’s first registrar (http://www.emu.edu/crossroads/summer08/suter) - John Early Suter was the father of Daniel B. Suter, a legendary figure at EMU (http://www.emu.edu/crossroads/summer08/suter, http://www.emu.edu/news/index.php/1300). - John Early Suter was also the father-in-law of legendary figure and Eastern Mennonite Seminary (EMS) professor and Dean from 1949 to 1978 George Brunk II (http://www.emu.edu/marketing/news/gbrunk2d.html, http://www.bethelks.edu/mennonitelife/2002sept/brunk.php). - George Brunk II was the son of the legendary George Brunk I, the vice-president of EMU’s board of trustees (http://www.gameo.org/encyclopedia/encyclopedia/contents/B78713.html.) - George Brunk II was also the brother of Ruth Brunk Stoltzfus (http://www.emu.edu/news/index.php/1312). - George Brunk II was also the father of George Brunk III, EMS faculty member, Dean, and Vice-President since 1974 (http://www.emu.edu/seminary/features/brunktoambs). Eggman Timeline: Combining this article (http://www.mennoweekly.org/2009/3/23/former-missionary-sentenced-virginia/), and your own article (http://www.dnronline.com/news_details.php?AID=36186&CHID=2), as well as a few others, we get a timeline that looks like this: - August 2004 - Andrew Max Eggman Jr., 46, filmed a minor and two international students from Eastern Mennonite University having sex at his home in 2004. Sgt. Felicia Glick of the Rockingham County Sheriff's Office said Eggman allegedly conspired with a business partner in California to make pornographic movies and sell them. On a page linked to EMU's Web site, which has since been removed, it lists an event at Eggman's home. The event was for a picnic on July 4, 2004, for international students. EMU officials say they are cooperating with the investigation but declined to comment further. - 2004 or 2005? - Victims revealed to Harrisonburg Mennonite church members that Eggman would secretly tape the teenagers having sex with Eastern Mennonite University Chinese and Japanese foreign exchange students. "The church members did not call the police at this time," Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney Clark Ritchie said. "Instead, it was decided by these members to conduct an ‘intervention' where Eggman made some incriminating statements. It was again decided not to contact law enforcement because Eggman agreed to enter a treatment facility in California." - 2005 - Virginia Mennonite Missions appointed Eggman as a worker in July 2005. VMM terminated Eggman’s service Dec. 2, 2005, and called him home after the allegations surfaced. These allegations were not reported to the police at this time. - 2006 - The late Deputy Les Steele of the Rockingham County Sheriff's Office responded to a home on Hawthorn Circle after some local church members called police regarding a child pornography case. Ritchie said they called police after trying to "work with" Eggman "in regard to his problems." Police searched Eggman's home and found "scores" of videotapes but none of them had illicit materials on them [due to the delayed nature of the church members report to police. - 2007 - Eggman's friends and family turned over a video to police that showed the minors having sex with two Asian EMU international students. - 2009 – Eggman pleads guilty and is sentenced to two months in prison. The obvious questions: The obvious questions for any aspiring reporter are: Who knew what and when? What action did they take? Why was justice failed at every turn of events? For more information: Andrew Eggman: www.emu.edu/events/detail.php3?id=5594 (This link previously was notice of an event listing Eggman’s phone number. As the local paper reports the link, “…has since been removed, it lists an event at Eggman's home. The event was for a picnic on July 4, 2004, for international students.”) Photos of Eggman and his family, often with exchange students, are easily found on the web. Suter family name [from the Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online - http://www.gameo.org/encyclopedia/encyclopedia/contents/suter]: Suter (Sutter, Suttor, Suder), a Mennonite family name, meaning shoemaker, originating in Kölliken, canton of Aargau, Switzerland. Persons by the name of Suter were known to have been members of the Waldenses in the canton of Bern many years before the beginning of the Anabaptist movement there. In 1538 Jacob Suter is mentioned as having been persecuted for his Anabaptist faith. Members of this family moved to Mennonite communities in Germany and to Florimont and Audincourt, France. Others came to America, settling chiefly in Rockingham County, Virginia, and Putnam County, Ohio, where a number of them have become leaders in the Mennonite Church (MC). Christian Suter (1791-1874), the second bishop of the Putnam County, Ohio, Swiss Mennonite congregation, helped to organize a Swiss Mennonite congregation in Madison Township, Polk County, Iowa, in 1858. Emanuel Suter (1833-1902), an active layman (MC) in Rockingham County, wrote extensively for Mennonite periodicals and served as secretary of the Virginia Conference for about 15 years. His grandson J. Early Suter and the latter's son Daniel B. Suter are ministers in the Virginia Conference, and Daniel is a teacher at Eastern Mennonite College. Brunk family name [from the Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online - http://www.gameo.org/encyclopedia/encyclopedia/contents/B7866]: Brunk (Bronk, Bronck) is a Swiss family name found among the Mennonites in the Palatinate about 1700 and among the American Mennonites since the last quarter of the 18th century. About 1773 Jacob Brunk came to America from Europe, settled first in Pennsylvania, and in 1795 in Frederick County, Virginia. His sons Christian, Joseph, and George located in Maryland. Christian's son Christian (1832-1906) was a Mennonite preacher near Winchester, Virginia, and his son George (1831-?) served as a preacher first at Broadway, Virginia, and later at Elida, Ohio. A number of the descendants of George Brunk (born 1831) were ministers and deacons in the Mennonite Church (MC). The most influential members of the Brunk family in the Mennonite Church have been Bishop George R. Brunk (1871-1938) first of Kansas, later Virginia, founder and first editor of The Sword and Trumpet, and author of Ready Scriptural Reasons (Scottdale, 1926); and his sons, Bishop Truman Brunk, who had often served as moderator of the Virginia Mennonite Conference, and George R. Brunk, II, a Mennonite evangelist. The Brunks have also been prominent in musical circles in the Mennonite Church. Christian H. Brunk (1845-1921) was an active layman and music composer of Rockingham County, Virginia; he served on the committee which compiled the Church and Sunday School Hymnal (1902). He also compiled a Sunday-school hymnbook entitled, Bible School Hymns and Sacred Songs (Elkhart, 1883). John D. Brunk (1872-1926) came from Rockingham County, Virginia, was a composer of music, and served as professor of music in Goshen College. He was the music editor of the Church Hymnal, Mennonite (Scottdale, 1927), the best hymnbook of his body of Mennonites to that time Family Tree: 1 Fannie Barbara Roudabush 1866-1920 married John Robert Suter 1863-1945: 2 John Early Suter 1887-1967 (son of Fannie Roudabush and John Suter) married Nettie Pearl Blosser (daughter of Daniel Blosser): 3 Margaret Grace Suter 1911-1999 (daughter of John Suter and Nettie Blosser) married George Rowland Brunk II 1911-2002 son of George Rowland Brunk I and Katie Wenger - George Brunk II is also the brother of Ruth Brunk Stoltzfus: 4 George Rowland Brunk III 1939 – married Erma Mae Hess 3 Daniel B. Suter 1920-2006 (son of John Suter and Nettie Blosser) married Grace F. Fisher 1919- 2 Menno Roudabush Suter (son of Fannie Roudabush and John Suter) 1907-1987 married Margaret M. Wenger 1910-1985: 3 Nelson Suter (son of Menno Suter and Margaret M. Wenger) 1934- married Donna Lee Brunk 1938-: 4 Lisa Ann Suter (daughter of Nelson Suter and Donna Lee Brunk) 1963- married Andrew Eggman in 1983 Gospel Herald (Mennonite) Obituaries (see links above for information on others): 1. Suter. - John R., son of the late Emanuel and Elizabeth Swope Suter, was born Feb. 24, 1863; died Feb. 26, 1945, after an illness of twelve weeks; aged 82 y. 2 d. He was born at New Erection, Va., and spent his entire life in that community, where he was loved by all who knew him. On Nov. 5, 1884, he was married to Fannie Roudabush, who preceded him in death twenty-four years ago. Surviving are 10 children (J. Early, Lawrence, Homer, Jacob, W. Tracey, Robert, Menno, and Claude, all of near Harrisonburg, Va.; Mrs. Lewis Showalter, Broadway, Va.; and Nettie E., at home), 25 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren. 4 brothers (E. J. and P. S., of Harrisonburg; C. C., Pittsburg, Pa., and E. C., of New Erection), one sister (Mrs. D. P. Wenger, of New Erection). He and his wife united with the Mennonite Church the year they were married. He taught a Sunday-school class for a number of years and was secretary of the Old Folks, Singing at Weaver's Church for thirty-three years. Funeral services were held at Weaver's Church, in charge of S. H. Rhodes, C. K. Lehman , and Timothy Showalter. Interment was made in the near-by cemetery. 2. Suter, John Early, [Eastern Mennonite University’s first registrar], son of John R. and Fannie (Roudabush) Suter, was born at Harrisonburg, Va., Feb. 7, 1887; died Jan. 20, 1967, at the Virginia Mennonite Home, Harrisonburg, from complications following a fractured hip; aged 79 y. 11 m. 13 d. On Oct. 8, 1907, he was married to N. Pearl Blosser, who died Apr. 28, 1958. Surviving are 4 children (Margaret¬Mrs. George R. Brunk, Mary¬Mrs. Zack Turner, Frances¬Mr. Frank Harman, and Daniel B.), 15 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren, one sister (Nettie), and 5 brothers (Homer, Jacob, Tracy, Robert, and Menno). On Aug. 11, 1907, he was ordained to the ministry, serving the Gospel Hill Church and other churches of the Middle District. At the time of his death he was a member of Weavers Church, where funeral services were held Jan. 22, with DeWitt Heatwole, C. K. Lehman, Ralph Heatwole, and Branson Conley officiating. 2. Suter, N. Pearl, oldest daughter of Daniel A. and Mary (Showalter) Blosser, was born near Harrisonburg, Va., July 8, 1888; died very suddenly at her home while engaged in a telephone conversation with her sister, April 28, 1958; aged 69 y. 9 m. 20 d. She was afflicted with heart dropsy and did not enjoy good health for some time, but she was able to attend church and do her housework. On Oct. 9, 1907, she was married to J. Early Suter, who had recently been ordained a minister. Surviving are her husband, 4 children (Margaret-Mrs. George R. Brunk, Denbigh, Va.; Mary-Mrs. Zack Turner, Broadway, Va.; and Frances-Mrs. Frank Harman and Daniel both of Harrisonburg, Va.), 15 grandchildren, 3 sisters and 3 brothers (Mrs. Elmer Brunk, Mrs. Homer Suter, Marie Blosser, Daniel J., Michael O., and Mahlon L., all of near Harrisonburg, Va.). She accepted Christ in her youth and was a faithful member of the Mennonite Church. She was a helpful companion to her husband as they served the church at various places in the district, in late years pasturing the Gospel Hill Church. Living beside the campus of Eastern Mennonite college she extended her hospitality to many visitors. Funeral services were held at Weavers Church, April 30, in charge of Daniel W. Lehman, J. L. Stauffer, and E. Paul Good. Interment in Weavers Cemetery. Blosser.-Daniel Aldine Blosser was born Jan. 30 1863; passed away at his late home near Harrisonburg, Va., Nov. 10, 1944; aged 81 y. 9 m. 10 d. He was one of a family of nine children born to Peter and Maglalene Rhodes Blosser, only two of whom survive him; the oldest, Samuel H., of Dayton, Va., and the youngest, Rudolph P., of North Lima, Ohio. On July 11, 1886, he was united in marriage with Mary C. Showalter, daughter of the late Michael and Elizabeth Shank Showalter, of near Broadway, Va. She was called home March 3, 1927, since which time his daughter Marie shared the home with him. Four daughters and three sons were born to this union; Mrs. J. Early Suter, Mrs. Elmer R. Brunk, Mrs. Homer R. Suter, Marie S., Daniel J., Michael O., and Mahlon L., all living near Harrisonburg, Va. Also surviving are 13 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren. One great-grandchild preceded him. He became ill and entered Rockingham Memorial Hospital on May 19, where he was a patient for ten weeks. He was then removed to his home, where all that was possible was done for his comfort by his family and nurses. He was a faithful member of the Mennonite Church for about sixty years and enjoyed the happy privilege of seeing all of his children and grandchildren unite with the church of his choice. He took great interest in the work of the church, and was always ready to contribute, not only in a material way, but served as Sunday-school superintendent and teacher, and also as church chorister for many years. Although educational opportunities for him as a young man were rather limited, he was much interested in the education of the youth of the church today. He took an active interest in the growth and development of Eastern Mennonite School, serving on the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees for almost twenty-five years. Much time and energy as well as material aid were given that the School might serve the best interests of the church. He was remarkably active up to the time of his illness. He enjoyed the simple Christian way of living, having spent much of his life on the farm. After retiring he still took great interest in his work about the home and maintained his mental facilities to a remarkable degree until the last. In all his affliction he was a patient sufferer, looking to the Lord for grace and comfort as he waited the time when he could depart to be with his Lord. Services at the home were conducted by J. L. Stauffer and at Weaver's Church by Chester K. Lehman and S. H. Rhodes. Text, Ps. 57:1. Interment was made in the adjoining cemetery. 2. Suter, Menno R., son of John R. and Fannie (Roudabush) Suter, was born in Rockingham Co., Va., Mar. 16, 1907; died at Rockingham Memorial Hospital, Harrisonburg, Va., Jan. 7, 1987; aged 79 y. On Apr. 19, 1930, he was married to Margaret Wenger, who survives. Also surviving are 5 sons (Jerrel D., Everett L., Nelson E., Gary L., and John R. ), one daughter (Betty S. Wenger), 11 grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren, and one sister (Nettie Suter). He was a member of Weaver's Mennonite Church, where memorial services were held on Jan. 9, in charge of Daniel Suter, Isaac Risser, and Roy Good. 3. Brunk - Bishop George Reuben Brunk , son of Henry G. and Susan (Heatwole) Brunk, was born near Geneseo, Ill., Dec. 31, 1871; died suddenly while at work on the evening of April 30, 1938, at his home near Denbigh, Va.; aged 66 y. 4 m. His activities and unfailing interest in the Church and home continued to the very last. On the day of his death he completed and mailed the July issue of the "Sword and Trumpet," through which medium he labored faithfully for the welfare of the Church at large. When he was two years of age his family moved on the western prairie near Marion, Kansas, later locating near Groveland, Kansas. Here, as a young man, he was brightly converted under the ministry of Bro. J.S. Coffman. At the age of 21 he was ordained to the ministry at West Liberty Church in Kansas, and at the age of 26 ordained to the office of Bishop, having oversight of the Spring Valley and Catlin congregations. In 1910 he with his family moved to Denbigh, Va., where he had bishop charge of congregations in southeastern Virginia until his death. From his ordination to the ministry he was actively engaged in evangelistic work for many years. At the age of 28 years he married Katie Wenger of Harrisonburg, Va. To this home came nine children, making an unbroken family until the departure of a precious and loving husband and father. How we miss his tender sympathies, his counsels, his prayers. The strong pillar of our home is removed and we are a broken family here; yet heaven seems much nearer and we long for the time of meeting. He so often prayed that we might meet an unbroken family over there. We know that he is even now waiting for each one of us, as his expressed himself in these original lines: "Not only through earth's toilsome years, do parents watch and wait For children scatter far; but having heard the Master's call, And folded earth work all aside and gone away, The vigil is not ended; the alter fires of love still burn within. From that far land they watch and wait, for the children to come Home." He leaves his sorrowing companion and nine children: Esther Virginia, Truman Henry (minister), Stella Victoria (Mrs. J. Ward Shank, Broadway, Va.), Edna Frances (Mrs. Arthur Hertzler), Meno Simon, George Rowland (minister), Katie Florence (Mrs. John F. Shank, Broadway, Va.), Ruth Wenger, and Lawrence Burkhart. There are nine grandchildren. He is also survived by one brother (Pre. J.F. Brunk, Newton, Kans.), two sisters (Mrs. J.A. Cooprider, Hesston, Kans., and Mrs. Walter Cooprider, McPherson, Kans.), one half-brother (Charles W. Cooprider of Windom, Kans.), and two half-sisters (Mrs. E.J. Ely of Inman, Kans., and Mrs. O.E. Hostetler of McPherson, Kans.). Funeral services at the home were in charge of Bro. Daniel Shenk, and at the Warwick River Mennonite Church by Bro. J.L. Stauffer (Texts, I Samuel 20:18 and II Timothy 4:6-8), assisted by Bros. C.C. Culp, S.H. Rhodes, J.R. Driver and Daniel Kauffman. The sorrowing family.