Bro. Bernard Foster, (Cupertino, Calif.),88, died December 14, 2007, in Cupertino. May he rest in peace. Bro. Barney was a teacher for nearly 30 years at schools in Cleveland, Honolulu, Wailuku, San Francisco and Yokohomo, Japan.
Bro. Fred Hausch, (Marycliff Community, Eureka, Mo.), 75, died November 9, 2007, in St. Louis. May he rest in peace. Bro. Fred spent most of his 54 years as a Marianist serving as a cook and kitchen manager, nourishing the physical and spiritual well-being of others.
Bro. Martin McMurtrey, (Marianist Residence, San Antonio), 86, died November 9, 2007, in San Antonio. May he rest in peace. Bro. Martin, or Bro. Mac as he was affectionately called, taught English and drafting at Central Catholic High School in San Antonio for almost 50 years. He was the author of several books and worked tirelessly to raise money for the scholarship fund created in his name at Central Catholic.
Fr. Edmund Rhodes, (Mercy Siena, Dayton), 97, died November 3, 2007, in Dayton. May he rest in peace. Fr. Edmund taught at schools in Washington, D.C., New York, Ohio, Iowa and Pennsylvania. His career with the University of Dayton spanned more than 36 years.
Bro. Franklin Pao, (Marycliff Community, Eureka, Mo.), (Center Marianist community, Honolulu), 72, died October 12, 2007, in Honolulu. May he rest in peace. Bro. Franklin served in a number of capacities including secretary to the provincial of the former Province of the Pacific, administrator of the former Villa St. Joseph Healthcare Center and for the last 20 years, as registrar at Saint Louis School in Honolulu. Bro. Franklin was Kahuna Nui of the Royal Order of Kamehameha I for almost 20 years.
Bro. Paul Goelz, (Marianist Residence, San Antonio), 92, who died September 27, 2007. Bro. Paul passed away at the Marianist Residence at St. Mary’s University, San Antonio, Texas, where he spent more than 55 years in the classroom teaching business to thousands of students until his retirement in 2001.
Fr. Donald Bracht, (Mercy Siena, Dayton), 93, died September 17, 2007, in Dayton. May he rest in peace. Fr. Don was an educator for 25 years at several schools in California and Hawaii. He also served for almost 40 years as a fundraiser and moderator for alumni from Marianist schools in the Pacific Province.
Bro. Clarence Chew, (Marianist Hall, Honolulu), 83, died July 23, 2007, in Honolulu. May he rest in peace. Bro. Clarence was the first American of Chinese descent to enter the Society of Mary. Bro. Clarence served as a teacher and principal in Hawaii and California. He also served as a teacher in Japan and a missionary in Korea.
Bro. Dan Sharpe, (Marianist Residence, San Antonio), 83, died July 23, 2007, in San Antonio. May he rest in peace. Bro. Dan had a lifelong devotion to education and ministered as a teacher and administrator for 40 years in St. Louis, San Antonio, Milwaukee, Chicago and Fort Worth. He served in Provincial administration for eight years and helped establish the Marianist presence in Mexico.
Bro. Robert Hatesohl, (Marycliff, Eureka, Mo.), 64, died May 22, 2007. May he rest in peace. Bro. Bob served the Province as a business manager, accountant and bookkeeper in St. Louis and San Antonio.
Bro. James Roberts, (Cupertino, California), 75, died May 10, 2007. May he rest in peace. Bro. Jim created the art program at Chaminade University of Honolulu and designed the university’s landmark chapel, the Mystical Rose Oratory. He was a noted artist who worked in paint, ink, watercolor and pencil, in a range of styles, including abstract, pointillism, realism, portrait, landscape and still life. In addition to painting, Bro. Jim sculpted and worked in serigraph.
Fr. Matthew Kohmescher, (Sawmill, Dayton), 85, died May 5, 2007. May he rest in peace. Fr. Matt was the chair of the Religious Studies Department at the University of Dayton for 20 years. Nicknamed “Fr. Beanie” for his trademark skullcap and “Fr. Fuzzy” for his acts of kindness, he was the unofficial UD greeter of students and parents and the “grandfather” of Founders Hall on campus.
Fr. Edwin Johnson, (West Hills, Calif.), 81, died April 25, 2007. May he rest in peace. Fr. Edwin professed first vows in 1962 at Marynook in Galesville, Wis., and was ordained in 1986 in San Jose, Calif. Fr. Edwin served as a teacher, principal, guidance director, chaplain, spiritual director and campus minister. For the last 11 years he was chaplain at Chaminade College Preparatory in West Hills, and Chatsworth, Calif.
Fr. Thomas Doyle, (Port Washington, N.Y.), 73, died March 20, 2007. May he rest in peace. Fr. Tom professed first vows in 1952 at Marcy, N.Y., and was ordained in 1974 at Baltimore. He taught in high schools on the East Coast in Pennsylvania, New York and Maryland, and served as pastor and associate pastor at parishes in Maryland and Connecticut.
Bro. J. Edward Fick, (Mercy Siena, Dayton), 90, died March 10, 2007. May he rest in peace. Bro. Ed was a teacher, business manager, special education program administrator and volunteer at St. Agnes hospital in Baltimore for almost 20 years.
Bro. Joseph Meierdirks, (Mercy Siena, Dayton), 86, died March 3, 2007. May he rest in peace. Bro. Joseph was a decorated World War II veteran who joined the Society of Mary at age 39. Bro. Joseph taught and was a pastoral minister in Ohio, Kentucky and Florida.
Bro. Robert Massa, (Marianist Residence, San Antonio), 78, died January 31, 2007. May he rest in peace. Bro. Bob taught high school history, reading and English for 37 years in St. Louis, Milwaukee and Chicago. After retiring from teaching, he served as host at the Marianist Retreat and Conference Center in Eureka, Missouri for 16 years.
Bro. Victor Naegele, (Marianist Residence, San Antonio), 90, died January 29, 2007. May he rest in peace. Bro. Victor taught high school for 25 years before joining the Sociology department at St. Mary’s University. He was active in the American Sociology Society and was a lecturer, committee member and consultant for migrant issues. Bro. Victor also was known for his photography skills and travels around the world.
Bro. Leo Rothermich, (Marianist Residence, San Antonio), 95, died January 1, 2007. May he rest in peace. Bro. Leo was in education for 60 years. He taught English, religion, Latin and mathematics. He also served as principal, athletic director and coach and moderated several activities. Later in his career, he served as business manager at Chaminade College Preparatory and St. Mary’s High School in St. Louis.
2008
Bro. Paul Merland, (Mercy Siena, Dayton), 77, died December 8, 2008, in Dayton. May he rest in peace. Bro. Paul served the Province as a teacher and business manager at Marianist schools in Ohio and worked in the Treasurer’s Office of the University of Dayton. In his later years, he was an aide at the Cincinnati Museum Center.
Bro. Robert Riemann, (Marianist Residence, San Antonio), 81, died December 4, 2008, in San Antonio. May he rest in peace. Bro. Bob served the Province as a working brother for over 50 years. He was a printer and proofreader for Catholic Authors Press and worked in maintenance and performed clerical duties at St. John Vianney High School and Chaminade College Preparatory in St. Louis, Maria Vista in New Haven, Mo., and at Central Catholic High School in San Antonio.
Bro. Frederick Gelhard, (Marianist Residence, San Antonio), 83, who died November 1, 2008, in San Antonio. May he rest in peace. Bro. Fred was a World War II veteran and served the Province primarily as a working brother. He supervised the construction of Roncalli High School in Pueblo, Colo., and served in construction and maintenance positions in Wisconsin, Texas, Missouri and Africa.
Bro. Bernard Laurinaitis, (Mercy Siena, Dayton), 82, died October 22, 2008, in Dayton. May he rest in peace. Bro. Ben served the Province as a teacher and librarian in Ohio, New York, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico and Australia. He also worked as an archivist for over 20 years at the Roesch Library at the University of Dayton.
Bro. Charles Boglitz, (Cupertino, Calif.), 91, died October 12, 2008, in Cupertino. May he rest in peace. Bro. Charles served as a teacher and librarian at Marianist schools on the East and West Coasts.
Fr. Charles Bergedick, (Mercy Siena, Dayton), 80, died September 22, 2008, in Dayton. May he rest in peace. Fr. Charles served as a teacher, counselor, chaplain, missionary in Africa, and as a pastor, associate pastor, and priest coordinator. He also worked as a part-time chaplain at the Allegheny County Jail and at several nursing homes in Pittsburgh.
Bro. Elmer Dunsky, (Cupertino, Calif.), 90, died September 20, 2008, in Cupertino. May he rest in peace. Bro. Elmer had a distinguished career in education that spanned 65 years. He was a teacher and administrator at several high schools and helped found St. Monica High School in Santa Monica, CA, and Junipero Serra High School in Gardena, CA. He also served at Chaminade University of Honolulu for 33 years and was the first Marianist to chair the Education Department at the school.
Fr. Jack Rielly, (Cupertino, Calif.), 83, diced September 14, 2008, in Cupertino. May he rest in peace. Fr. Jack served as a teacher, chaplain, novice master, recruiter, pastor, vocation director, campus minister, and mentor and spiritual advisor to Lay Marianist Affiliates.
Bro. Bill McCall, (Cupertino, Calif.), 81, died July 9, 2008. May he rest in peace. Bro. Bill taught English and was an administrator in schools in the former Province of the Pacific for over 30 years. He initiated the High Sierras Mountaineering Program at Chaminade College Preparatory School in Canoga Park and West Hills, Calif., and at Archbishop Mitty High School in San Francisco. He also was a moderator for forensics and speech and debate.
Fr. John Bolin, (Cupertino, Calif.), 82, died June 15, 2008. May he rest in peace. Fr. John was a teacher and mentor of novices, scholastics and seminarians. He was head of the Office of Religious Life and provincial of the former Province of the Pacific. Fr. John also served as vicar general for the Diocese of Honolulu and was closely associated with Chaminade University of Honolulu as a professor, vice president of academic affairs, chancellor and rector.
Bro. Joseph (Wasy) Wasielewksi, (Cupertino, Calif.), 90, died May 31, 2008. May he rest in peace. Bro. Joe was an educator for nearly 60 years. He served in Brooklyn, Dayton, San Francisco, Honolulu, Maui and Gardena, Calif. His longest and favorite assignment was the 37 years he spent at St. Joseph International School in Yokohama, Japan. Bro. Joe was a teacher, principal, assistant principal and coach.
Bro. Stan Mathews, (Mercy Siena, Dayton), 85, died May 18, 2008. May he rest in peace. Bro. Stan ministered in Cleveland and Dayton for 65 years. He was an English teacher, principal, librarian, the first rector of the University of Dayton and a longtime member of the school’s board of trustees. In the former Province of Cincinnati, he served as assistant provincial, director of education, vocation director and councilor. Bro. Stan was a member of the Provincial Chapter and General Chapter. He is remembered as a first-class Marianist, who led with wisdom, kindness and grace. He also loved the Cincinnati Reds.
Fr. Raymond Middendorf, (Hollywood, Fla.), 79, died April 8, 2008. May he rest in peace. Fr. Ray served for over 40 years as a priest and missionary in Puerto Rico. He was a talented photographer and was the unofficial photographer at many wedding ceremonies. Fr. Ray was affectionately known as the “cruise ship chaplain” because of his love of cruise ships and ministering to the passengers aboard them.
Bro. Maurice (Max) Beyer, (Mercy Siena, Dayton), 93, died February 23, 2008, in Dayton. May he rest in peace. Bro. Max served as a teacher in Ohio, New York, Pennsylvania and Puerto Rico. He was a secretary for 35 years serving under provincials in the former Provinces of Cincinnati and New York. Bro. Max also was a nurse’s aide and editor of Family, the newsletter of the former Province of Cincinnati.
Bro. Art Dofing, (Marianist Residence, San Antonio), 74, died February 10, 2008, in San Antonio. May he rest in peace. Bro. Art was a teacher in Texas, Missouri, Illinois and Wisconsin and ministered for several years as a family counselor.
Bro. Robert Kelly, (Mercy Siena, Dayton), 84, died February 1, 2008, in Dayton. May he rest in peace. Bro. Bob had a 45-year career in education. He was a member of the first Marianist community in Ireland, and he helped establish St. Laurence College in Dublin. Bro. Bob also spent many years as a teacher and administrator at St. Joseph College in Yokohama, Japan.
2009
Bro. Donald Fahrig, (Mercy Siena, Dayton), 83, who died November 22, 2009. May he rest in peace. Bro. Don was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II. He served the Marianists as a teacher, librarian, resource for students and minister of beautiful surroundings at Purcell Marian High School where he served for 30 years.
Fr. Jorge da Silva, (Cupertino, Calif.), 82, who died November 20, 2009. May he rest in peace. Fr. Jorge spent most of his career on the West Coast as a teacher, counselor, vice principal, principal, parish priest, spiritual director and facilitator of Lay Marianist groups. He was paralyzed for most of his career, but Fr. Jorge’s physical limitations never interfered with his powerful ministry of the Gospel.
Bro. Norbert Sturm, (Mercy Siena, Dayton), 91, died September 11, 2009. May he rest in peace. Bro. Norbert was a teacher for almost 60 years. At age 65, he went to Eastern Africa to teach English to village children in Karonga, Malawi. He served as a missionary in Eastern Africa for 28 years.
Bro. John Klein, (Marianist Residence, San Antonio), 84, died July 4, 2009. May he rest in peace. Bro. John was a grade school teacher in Texas and Missouri for 25 years. He also served in several ministries in Missouri and East St. Louis, IL.
Bro. Paul Novosal, (Marianist Residence, San Antonio), 90, who died May 24, 2009, in San Antonio. May he rest in peace. Bro. Paul served as a teacher, librarian and archivist. Bro. Paul worked on the campus of St. Mary’s University in San Antonio for over 60 years. He was instrumental in the development and construction of two libraries on campus. For the last 35 years, until 2008, Bro. Paul was responsible for the Province Archives located on the St. Mary’s campus.
Bro. Francis Haug, (Cure of Ars , St. Louis), 85, died May 21, 2009, in St. Louis. May he rest in peace. Bro. Francis ministered to youth in education for most of his life. He was a teacher, administrator, coach and tutor at Marianist high schools in Missouri and Illinois for almost 50 years.
Bro. John Blank, (Alumni Hall, Dayton), 87, died April 14, 2009, in Dayton. May he rest in peace. Bro. John taught high school Latin, English, religion and driver’s education for 54 years. He was a teacher at several high schools in Ohio and taught overseas in Switzerland, Lebanon, Australia and Japan. He also served in parish ministry at Emmanuel Catholic Church in Dayton.
Bro. Urban Naal, (Cupertino, Calif.), 81, who died January 30, 2009, in Cupertino. May he rest in peace. Bro. Urban was a history and social studies teacher for nearly 45 years. He earned grants to travel worldwide and collect photos and other materials for his classroom. Bro. Urban also was a church soloist, author of 35 magazine articles and a volunteer.