Father Eugene Dehner
(1914-2004)
Father Eugene was one of the several vocations from the Benedictine-staffed parish in Burlington, Iowa. His younger brother was known in our community as Lambert. Father Eugene entered the abbey in 1935 and after ordination earned a Doctor's degree in Biology at Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y. His dissertation was on diving ducks.
On his return from Cornell he began work in the biology department of St. Benedict's College with Father Hubert Blocker and served in that position for 38 years. He was active in professional societies and was once chaplain of the National Federation of Catholic College Students. Father Eugene also was a college prefect and did weekend supply in many parishes.
No doubt a book of some length could be devoted to Father Eugene's colorful life. He himself did write a life in his later years in great detail. He had a way of coining expressions. e.g. dictionary = bookcionary, gravelspooks = sandwich! A greeting, "How's your liver?" to which the proper response was "Still secreting bile." Often he would come to the TV room in the middle of a game and ask, "Is there a game on?" and that followed by "What's the score?" These examples merely touch the surface. He would at haustus drink two beers, one for each kidney.
Father Eugene was a thorough teacher and his name on a letter of recommendation for medical or dental school almost guaranteed acceptance. His students remembered him fondly and frequently visited him. Father Eugene was a faithful, though sometimes tardy, correspondent. Even donation requests received "monk-sized" donations from his small monastic budget. One can feature him entering heaven's gates and asking of St. Peter, "Is this heaven?"
Note: Information about Father Eugene W. Dehner can be found on pages 185-193 in the book "Wisdom of the Benedictine Elders: Thirty of America's Oldest Monks and Nuns Share Their Lives' Greatest Lessons" by Mark W. McGinnis.
From Endowed Scholarship Book:
As professor and department head in biology at St. Benedict's College and Benedictine College, Father Eugene W. Dehner, OSB, Ph.D., '37, was successful in inspiring 300 of his students to earn doctorates and other degrees in medicine, dentistry, osteopathy and other professional fields.
He was named Educator of the Year at Benedictine College in 1983.
Fr. Eugene was born May 26, 1914, in Burlington, Iowa, the son of Leo and Celestine Dehner.
After his early schooling there, he attended St. Benedict's College where he earned a bachelor's degree in biology in 1937. He joined St. Benedict's Abbey in 1935, and was ordained to the priesthood in 1940. After earning his master's and doctorate degree in biology at Cornell University, New York, he began teaching in the fall of 1946, first at St. Benedict's College and then at Benedictine College, serving 38 years. He retired in May 1984 as Emeritus Professor of Biology.
Fr. Eugene was curator for the Fr. Felix Nolte, O.S.B. Museum from 1971 to 1997, and oversaw moving the artifacts twice – once to the Administration Building and then later to Westerman Hall.
In the early 1990's, Fr. Eugene was instrumental with the College constructing its own Lookout on the Missouri River Bluff. In April 2003, Fr. Eugene finished his 405-page autobiography, "My Three Hats," – which relates to his work as college teacher, priest, and monk.
His whole life was in the Benedictine community. He was an engaging teacher who spent countless hours in the College's biology department and labs. There are hundreds of men and women who are grateful to their beloved professor, Fr. Eugene Dehner, O.S.B., Ph.D., for
the education they received.
Fr. Eugene passed away September 7, 2004.
Let's remember him gratefully in our prayers.
On Friday, September 10, 2004, a vigil service for him will be sung in the Abbey Church at 7 p.m. and on Saturday at 10:30 a.m. the next day the Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated for him in the church. Burial in the monastery cemetery will follow.
Besides his fellow monks, Father Dehner is survived by brothers, Father Philip, O.C.S.O., Conyers, GA and Raymond, Albuquerque, NM, and by numerous nephews and nieces.
His parents, Leo and Celestine, his sisters, Sr. Ada, O.C.D. and Mary Catherine McNassar, and his brothers, Bernard, Leo and Lambert preceded him in death.
Memorial offerings may be made to St. Benedict's Abbey. (Arrangements: Arensberg-Pruett Funeral Home, Atchison, KS (913) 367-6403.)
(1914-2004)
Father Eugene was one of the several vocations from the Benedictine-staffed parish in Burlington, Iowa. His younger brother was known in our community as Lambert. Father Eugene entered the abbey in 1935 and after ordination earned a Doctor's degree in Biology at Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y. His dissertation was on diving ducks.
On his return from Cornell he began work in the biology department of St. Benedict's College with Father Hubert Blocker and served in that position for 38 years. He was active in professional societies and was once chaplain of the National Federation of Catholic College Students. Father Eugene also was a college prefect and did weekend supply in many parishes.
No doubt a book of some length could be devoted to Father Eugene's colorful life. He himself did write a life in his later years in great detail. He had a way of coining expressions. e.g. dictionary = bookcionary, gravelspooks = sandwich! A greeting, "How's your liver?" to which the proper response was "Still secreting bile." Often he would come to the TV room in the middle of a game and ask, "Is there a game on?" and that followed by "What's the score?" These examples merely touch the surface. He would at haustus drink two beers, one for each kidney.
Father Eugene was a thorough teacher and his name on a letter of recommendation for medical or dental school almost guaranteed acceptance. His students remembered him fondly and frequently visited him. Father Eugene was a faithful, though sometimes tardy, correspondent. Even donation requests received "monk-sized" donations from his small monastic budget. One can feature him entering heaven's gates and asking of St. Peter, "Is this heaven?"
Note: Information about Father Eugene W. Dehner can be found on pages 185-193 in the book "Wisdom of the Benedictine Elders: Thirty of America's Oldest Monks and Nuns Share Their Lives' Greatest Lessons" by Mark W. McGinnis.
From Endowed Scholarship Book:
As professor and department head in biology at St. Benedict's College and Benedictine College, Father Eugene W. Dehner, OSB, Ph.D., '37, was successful in inspiring 300 of his students to earn doctorates and other degrees in medicine, dentistry, osteopathy and other professional fields.
He was named Educator of the Year at Benedictine College in 1983.
Fr. Eugene was born May 26, 1914, in Burlington, Iowa, the son of Leo and Celestine Dehner.
After his early schooling there, he attended St. Benedict's College where he earned a bachelor's degree in biology in 1937. He joined St. Benedict's Abbey in 1935, and was ordained to the priesthood in 1940. After earning his master's and doctorate degree in biology at Cornell University, New York, he began teaching in the fall of 1946, first at St. Benedict's College and then at Benedictine College, serving 38 years. He retired in May 1984 as Emeritus Professor of Biology.
Fr. Eugene was curator for the Fr. Felix Nolte, O.S.B. Museum from 1971 to 1997, and oversaw moving the artifacts twice – once to the Administration Building and then later to Westerman Hall.
In the early 1990's, Fr. Eugene was instrumental with the College constructing its own Lookout on the Missouri River Bluff. In April 2003, Fr. Eugene finished his 405-page autobiography, "My Three Hats," – which relates to his work as college teacher, priest, and monk.
His whole life was in the Benedictine community. He was an engaging teacher who spent countless hours in the College's biology department and labs. There are hundreds of men and women who are grateful to their beloved professor, Fr. Eugene Dehner, O.S.B., Ph.D., for
the education they received.
Fr. Eugene passed away September 7, 2004.
Let's remember him gratefully in our prayers.
On Friday, September 10, 2004, a vigil service for him will be sung in the Abbey Church at 7 p.m. and on Saturday at 10:30 a.m. the next day the Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated for him in the church. Burial in the monastery cemetery will follow.
Besides his fellow monks, Father Dehner is survived by brothers, Father Philip, O.C.S.O., Conyers, GA and Raymond, Albuquerque, NM, and by numerous nephews and nieces.
His parents, Leo and Celestine, his sisters, Sr. Ada, O.C.D. and Mary Catherine McNassar, and his brothers, Bernard, Leo and Lambert preceded him in death.
Memorial offerings may be made to St. Benedict's Abbey. (Arrangements: Arensberg-Pruett Funeral Home, Atchison, KS (913) 367-6403.)
Father Eugene Dehner
(1914-2004)
Father Eugene was one of the several vocations from the Benedictine-staffed parish in Burlington, Iowa. His younger brother was known in our community as Lambert. Father Eugene entered the abbey in 1935 and after ordination earned a Doctor's degree in Biology at Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y. His dissertation was on diving ducks.
On his return from Cornell he began work in the biology department of St. Benedict's College with Father Hubert Blocker and served in that position for 38 years. He was active in professional societies and was once chaplain of the National Federation of Catholic College Students. Father Eugene also was a college prefect and did weekend supply in many parishes.
No doubt a book of some length could be devoted to Father Eugene's colorful life. He himself did write a life in his later years in great detail. He had a way of coining expressions. e.g. dictionary = bookcionary, gravelspooks = sandwich! A greeting, "How's your liver?" to which the proper response was "Still secreting bile." Often he would come to the TV room in the middle of a game and ask, "Is there a game on?" and that followed by "What's the score?" These examples merely touch the surface. He would at haustus drink two beers, one for each kidney.
Father Eugene was a thorough teacher and his name on a letter of recommendation for medical or dental school almost guaranteed acceptance. His students remembered him fondly and frequently visited him. Father Eugene was a faithful, though sometimes tardy, correspondent. Even donation requests received "monk-sized" donations from his small monastic budget. One can feature him entering heaven's gates and asking of St. Peter, "Is this heaven?"
Note: Information about Father Eugene W. Dehner can be found on pages 185-193 in the book "Wisdom of the Benedictine Elders: Thirty of America's Oldest Monks and Nuns Share Their Lives' Greatest Lessons" by Mark W. McGinnis.
From Endowed Scholarship Book:
As professor and department head in biology at St. Benedict's College and Benedictine College, Father Eugene W. Dehner, OSB, Ph.D., '37, was successful in inspiring 300 of his students to earn doctorates and other degrees in medicine, dentistry, osteopathy and other professional fields.
He was named Educator of the Year at Benedictine College in 1983.
Fr. Eugene was born May 26, 1914, in Burlington, Iowa, the son of Leo and Celestine Dehner.
After his early schooling there, he attended St. Benedict's College where he earned a bachelor's degree in biology in 1937. He joined St. Benedict's Abbey in 1935, and was ordained to the priesthood in 1940. After earning his master's and doctorate degree in biology at Cornell University, New York, he began teaching in the fall of 1946, first at St. Benedict's College and then at Benedictine College, serving 38 years. He retired in May 1984 as Emeritus Professor of Biology.
Fr. Eugene was curator for the Fr. Felix Nolte, O.S.B. Museum from 1971 to 1997, and oversaw moving the artifacts twice – once to the Administration Building and then later to Westerman Hall.
In the early 1990's, Fr. Eugene was instrumental with the College constructing its own Lookout on the Missouri River Bluff. In April 2003, Fr. Eugene finished his 405-page autobiography, "My Three Hats," – which relates to his work as college teacher, priest, and monk.
His whole life was in the Benedictine community. He was an engaging teacher who spent countless hours in the College's biology department and labs. There are hundreds of men and women who are grateful to their beloved professor, Fr. Eugene Dehner, O.S.B., Ph.D., for
the education they received.
Fr. Eugene passed away September 7, 2004.
Let's remember him gratefully in our prayers.
On Friday, September 10, 2004, a vigil service for him will be sung in the Abbey Church at 7 p.m. and on Saturday at 10:30 a.m. the next day the Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated for him in the church. Burial in the monastery cemetery will follow.
Besides his fellow monks, Father Dehner is survived by brothers, Father Philip, O.C.S.O., Conyers, GA and Raymond, Albuquerque, NM, and by numerous nephews and nieces.
His parents, Leo and Celestine, his sisters, Sr. Ada, O.C.D. and Mary Catherine McNassar, and his brothers, Bernard, Leo and Lambert preceded him in death.
Memorial offerings may be made to St. Benedict's Abbey. (Arrangements: Arensberg-Pruett Funeral Home, Atchison, KS (913) 367-6403.)
(1914-2004)
Father Eugene was one of the several vocations from the Benedictine-staffed parish in Burlington, Iowa. His younger brother was known in our community as Lambert. Father Eugene entered the abbey in 1935 and after ordination earned a Doctor's degree in Biology at Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y. His dissertation was on diving ducks.
On his return from Cornell he began work in the biology department of St. Benedict's College with Father Hubert Blocker and served in that position for 38 years. He was active in professional societies and was once chaplain of the National Federation of Catholic College Students. Father Eugene also was a college prefect and did weekend supply in many parishes.
No doubt a book of some length could be devoted to Father Eugene's colorful life. He himself did write a life in his later years in great detail. He had a way of coining expressions. e.g. dictionary = bookcionary, gravelspooks = sandwich! A greeting, "How's your liver?" to which the proper response was "Still secreting bile." Often he would come to the TV room in the middle of a game and ask, "Is there a game on?" and that followed by "What's the score?" These examples merely touch the surface. He would at haustus drink two beers, one for each kidney.
Father Eugene was a thorough teacher and his name on a letter of recommendation for medical or dental school almost guaranteed acceptance. His students remembered him fondly and frequently visited him. Father Eugene was a faithful, though sometimes tardy, correspondent. Even donation requests received "monk-sized" donations from his small monastic budget. One can feature him entering heaven's gates and asking of St. Peter, "Is this heaven?"
Note: Information about Father Eugene W. Dehner can be found on pages 185-193 in the book "Wisdom of the Benedictine Elders: Thirty of America's Oldest Monks and Nuns Share Their Lives' Greatest Lessons" by Mark W. McGinnis.
From Endowed Scholarship Book:
As professor and department head in biology at St. Benedict's College and Benedictine College, Father Eugene W. Dehner, OSB, Ph.D., '37, was successful in inspiring 300 of his students to earn doctorates and other degrees in medicine, dentistry, osteopathy and other professional fields.
He was named Educator of the Year at Benedictine College in 1983.
Fr. Eugene was born May 26, 1914, in Burlington, Iowa, the son of Leo and Celestine Dehner.
After his early schooling there, he attended St. Benedict's College where he earned a bachelor's degree in biology in 1937. He joined St. Benedict's Abbey in 1935, and was ordained to the priesthood in 1940. After earning his master's and doctorate degree in biology at Cornell University, New York, he began teaching in the fall of 1946, first at St. Benedict's College and then at Benedictine College, serving 38 years. He retired in May 1984 as Emeritus Professor of Biology.
Fr. Eugene was curator for the Fr. Felix Nolte, O.S.B. Museum from 1971 to 1997, and oversaw moving the artifacts twice – once to the Administration Building and then later to Westerman Hall.
In the early 1990's, Fr. Eugene was instrumental with the College constructing its own Lookout on the Missouri River Bluff. In April 2003, Fr. Eugene finished his 405-page autobiography, "My Three Hats," – which relates to his work as college teacher, priest, and monk.
His whole life was in the Benedictine community. He was an engaging teacher who spent countless hours in the College's biology department and labs. There are hundreds of men and women who are grateful to their beloved professor, Fr. Eugene Dehner, O.S.B., Ph.D., for
the education they received.
Fr. Eugene passed away September 7, 2004.
Let's remember him gratefully in our prayers.
On Friday, September 10, 2004, a vigil service for him will be sung in the Abbey Church at 7 p.m. and on Saturday at 10:30 a.m. the next day the Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated for him in the church. Burial in the monastery cemetery will follow.
Besides his fellow monks, Father Dehner is survived by brothers, Father Philip, O.C.S.O., Conyers, GA and Raymond, Albuquerque, NM, and by numerous nephews and nieces.
His parents, Leo and Celestine, his sisters, Sr. Ada, O.C.D. and Mary Catherine McNassar, and his brothers, Bernard, Leo and Lambert preceded him in death.
Memorial offerings may be made to St. Benedict's Abbey. (Arrangements: Arensberg-Pruett Funeral Home, Atchison, KS (913) 367-6403.)
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