Raitt, Arthur John Howard (1940–1967)

By Godfrey K. Sang

Godfrey K. Sang is a historical researcher and writer with an interest in Adventist history. He holds a B.A. in History from the University of Eastern Africa Baraton and a number of qualifications from other universities. He is a published author. He is the co-author of the book On the Wings of a Sparrow: How the Seventh-day Adventist Church Came to Western Kenya.

First Published: November 7, 2024

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Arthur John Raitt was a British missionary educator in Southern Africa who became a teacher at Solusi College (now, university). He was diagnosed with cancer and died young at the age of only 27. However, he greatly impacted the students he taught in the fleeting years of his life.

Early Life

Arthur John Howard Raitt, popularly known as John Raitt, was born on August 4, 1940, in Rugby, Warwickshire, England.¹ He was the second child and only son of Arthur James Raitt (1907-1996), who was a lecturer at Newbold College before moving to Helderberg College in 1946. His mother was named Phyllis, and his older and younger siblings were named Joan and Margaret. Arthur John’s grandfather, William R. Raitt (1876-1945), was a London grocer who became an Adventist in Catford, London circa 1913. He then became a member of the Stanborough Park SDA Church.² He brought up his family in the faith, and both his sons would work for the Church as missionaries in Africa. William C. S. Raitt would serve in both Tanganyika and Kenya, opening up the work there.

Moving to South Africa

Arthur John’s uncle, Willam C. S. Raitt, was a long-serving missionary to East Africa, working both in Kenya and Tanganyika before moving to Rhodesia.³ Arthur John was six years old when his father decided to become a missionary and relocated to South Africa, joining the Helderberg College community. It was here that Arthur John began his education. He later graduated with honors from the four-year college course in Arts and Education, obtaining a B.A. degree from the University of South Africa.⁴ The Helderberg Echo reported that seventeen students in John’s class maintained an “A” average in their schoolwork during 1961, including John Raitt. The report congratulated John on receiving his B.A. degree and a diploma with Honors. The Echo noted that Raitt had completed his entire education at Helderberg, starting from Sub A (the equivalent to Kindergarten) and finishing the four-year course in Arts and Education, highlighting his journey from “Sub A to B.A.”⁵

Missionary Service

While a student at Helderberg College, his commitment to his studies and the influence of the Adventist environment led him to join the Seventh-day Adventist Church by baptism. In October 1953, when he was thirteen years old, he was baptized, and that prepared him for his missionary service. In January 1962, Arthur John joined the ranks of missionary workers as a teacher at Solusi College in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe).⁶

Master Guide

John Raitt was a dedicated Master Guide. A Master Guide is a graduate of the most current leadership program for youth ministry in the Seventh-day Adventist Church. In November 1962, forty-nine Master Guides, whom Raitt had trained, were invested at Solusi in an impressive ceremony attended by Pastor C. S. Chinyowa, the Southern Rhodesia Field Young People’s and Missionary Volunteers department leader, and P. H. Coetzee, the Transvaal Conference president.⁷ During the event, some of the Master Guides shared how the training had practically benefited their careers; Elder Enoch Sibanda highlighted its value in business, Pastor Andrew Gathemia from Kenya spoke of its usefulness in medical work, and Violet Maposa and elders R. Ndhlovu and J. Handahu noted its benefits for students, pastors, and teachers.⁸ Elder Chinyowa gave the charge, followed by the simultaneous investiture led by Brother Zulu. Elder Coetzee challenged the new Master Guides to base their lives on the Word of God, using a symbolic Bible and candle-lighting ceremony to inspire them. Finally, the newly invested Master Guides, coming from various regions across Africa, were encouraged by Elder Coetzee, Brother Zulu, and Mrs. Gorle to spread the Advent message, which they pledged to do as they marched out with candles held high.

Marriage and Family

The following year, 1963, Raitt married Judith Maria van Graan, also a graduate of Helderberg College and, like him, was a teacher. The couple began their life together at Solusi College. They were soon blessed with a daughter, Marianne, who was born on February 15, 1965. Judith was a teacher at the Salisbury Church School in Salisbury (now Harare).

Death and Legacy

In 1965, Raitt was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Disease, a type of cancer. He had been ill on and off since 1963 although he did not allow that to interrupt his teaching schedule. Hodgkin’s Disease, also known as Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, is a type of cancer that originates in the lymphatic system, the body’s immune system. Although today Hodgkin’s Lymphoma is considered one of the most treatable cancers, with high survival rates, especially when diagnosed early, but not much was known about it in 1967. After it became apparent that the illness was taking its toll, they requested an anointing. John Raitt passed away on January 2, 1967, in South Africa. He spent his final weeks at the Groote Schuur Hospital in Cape Town, and at his parents’ home in Kuils River, surrounded by his family.⁹

Arthur John’s influence as a devoted teacher and faithful Christian left a lasting impact on those who knew him. His legacy of love, patience, and dedication to his faith and students inspired a generation. After he married Judith van Graan in 1963, they were allocated one of the oldest homes at Solusi, but together, they transformed it into a welcoming place of beauty. His colleagues noted his dedication to his students and his positive Christian influence within the community.¹⁰ He was survived by his wife and daughter and both his parents and siblings. He was laid to rest in “God’s acre” at Helderberg College.

Sources

Dawkins, M. B. “From Hither and Yon.” Southern Africa Division Outlook, January 15, 1962.

Dawkins, M. B. “Obituary: Arthur John Howard Raitt.” Trans-Africa Division Outlook, April 1, 1967.

Dick, E. D. “With our Missions in East Africa.” The Advent Survey, December 1, 1935.

Familysearch.org. Accessed August 1, 2024.

Meredith, W. H. British Advent Messenger, March 23, 1945.

Raitt, John. “Master Guide Investiture at Solusi.” Southern Africa Division Outlook, April 15, 1963.

Staples, R. L. “A Tribute to A. J. H. Raitt.” Trans-Africa Division Outlook, May 1, 1967.

Notes

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QVQK-74MS, accessed August 1, 2024.↩
W. H. Meredith, British Advent Messenger, March 23, 1945, 8.↩
E. D. Dick, “With our Missions in East Africa,” The Advent Survey, December 1, 1935, 4-5.↩
R. L. Staples, “A Tribute to A. J. H. Raitt,” Trans-Africa Division Outlook, May 1, 1967, 7.↩
M. B. Dawkins, “From Hither and Yon,” Southern Africa Division Outlook, January 15, 1962, 12.↩
M. B. Dawkins, “Obituary: Arthur John Howard Raitt,” Trans-Africa Division Outlook, April 1, 1967, 7.↩
John Raitt, “Master Guide Investiture at Solusi,” Southern Africa Division Outlook, April 15, 1963, 9.↩
Ibid.↩
Dawkins, “Obituary.”↩
Ibid.↩