Full NameREX, Rev Helmut Herbert Hermann, M.A., D.Theol .(Tubingen)Date of Birth15 February 1913Date of Death16 March 1967Biography(His name was formerly Rehbein, but he changed it to Rex, a Latin form and so international, 1945.)
born 15 February 1913 Potsdam, Germany
son of Hermann Carl Heinrich REHBEIN and Martha Lucie Hedwig HAUPT
married 14 February 1939 Renate JAEGER born 30 October 1915, died 4 June 1968 (suddenly and tragically)
died 16 March 1967
He studied in Berlin in 1930s, was in the Confessing Church and came to New Zealand as a refugee and pastor.
Ordained 1938; received by Assembly November 1939 (Brought out by Assembly)
Lecturer in Church History, Theological Hall Dunedin (temporary appointment) 1939 - appointment made permanent 1947.
Professor of Church History Theological Hall Dunedin – appointed by Assembly 1953. Inducted 1 March 1954
Retired due to ill-health 29.2.1964.
He held classes in literature 1950-60; introduced hermeneutics 1955; he was largely responsible for developing Religious Studies in Arts Faculty at Otago University 1963; he had great interest in and knowledge of Maori culture and affairs; served on Committee planning the Maori Synod.
He suffered from ill-health for most of his life after suffering from malnutrition during World War One.