Memories of Henry Birkenhauer SJ

Memories of 'Henry B ... Father B ... The Polar Priest ... The Kindest Man'

Click on name for each memory:	Nancy J. Agacinski '79

	Philip W. Schaefer '56

	Pat Behmer Lonergan '76

	Sister Teresemarie McCloskey SND '53

	Fred Kovar '55

	Sister Doris Mooney OSU MA '69

	"Henry B." as we liked to call him, was one of the kindest people, I've ever had the pleasure of knowing. He used to call me and my fellow Grand Rapid-ians (Theresa Ptak and Cathy Dinkel) in the dorm to offer us rides to Michigan when we would be going home for the holidays. What kind of university president does that? I knew it was special then, but now I really know how unique and spectacular his acts of kindness (and for him - everyday living) truly were. He was a very special man - we'd often see him in the early hours on campus - when we were just returning from our evenings out - he'd be picking up trash on campus. Wow! He was so wonderful and so special but just acted so "regular." he will always have a very special place in my heart. I will miss him. Nancy Agacinski
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	"Fr. B." (as his niece Kay Beeker Patterson and I always called him) was a "giant" of a man--a real "saint" for all seasons. He was my teacher at JCU, my mentor, and my friend. It was because of him that I have spent my career in academic life teaching and researching mathematics. I have tried to model my approach to education on his "commandments" which had not been formulated back in the ‘50s but were obviously practiced by him. Philip Schaefer
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	As freshmen, many of us in Murphy Hall did not have a car on campus. Father Birkenhauer asked a group if we'd like to ride with him to an away JCU vs. Washington & Jefferson football game. We accepted his offer and shared a fun day supporting the Blue Streaks! He was open to meeting with students regarding project ideas...and willing to give quotes to fledgling Carroll News reporters. During the early '70s, infamous CN reporter Harry Gauzman often referenced "Fr. Barkenbite" in his articles filled with colorful university and local observations. "Birky" was intelligent and wise, with a warm sense of humor and a knack for dealing with young adults. Fr. Birkenhauer and Fr. Schell introduced us to the Jesuit order of beliefs by stellar example. Pat Behmer Lonergan
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	In summers (1949-1953) and one semester of a late afternoon seminar, I earned an MS in Applied Math. He was a brand new Dean of the Graduate School, head of Seismology, and my major advisor and professor. The mathematics was always well applied. One particularly “fun” recollection is of a field trip we made to a West side industry, where Father had been consulted regarding a vibration noise problem. Our group included Sister Dolores Abood and myself, Sisters of Notre Dame, in full traditional habit. We caused quite a rush of surprise followed by friendly greetings, as we made our way from one end of the factory to the other, where Father wanted to take a first reading on the maximum amplitude of the vibration. The next step required that he take a reading on the floor directly below us. Father looked out the window, and before anyone could object, he crawled out the window, slid down a rather sturdy drain pipe, crawled in on the lower floor, took the reading, and crawled back up! It was my first experience at a University, and I could not appreciate then the unique Grace that it was. And over and above the academic messages, I learned from his own witness that his celebration of Mass was the most important event of his day. In fact all of my memories of Father involve the Mass. The happiest surprise I have ever experienced happened one Saturday morning while I was stationed at Elyria District Catholic High School. In response to a doorbell, I opened the front door of our convent to find the “glacier priest,” just recently returned from the South Pole. Father was giving a talk at the local public high school, and asked if he could celebrate Mass in our chapel. It was one of God’s totally unexpected gifts! Time, space, and words are totally inadequate to describe the great grace he was to our Congregation, and to all the Religious Congregations of our Diocese and beyond. I had the privilege of making the 30 day retreat under his direction, and it gave me an entirely new appreciation of the role of the Holy Spirit as our personal guide. Just about one year ago I went to visit him in his retirement. In spite of his frailty, he was still the same gentle, holy priest these 54 years. I count on meeting him everyday in the Timeless Mass, until we all catch up with him, in unspeakable joy. Thank you for this invitation to remember. Sister Teresemarie McCloskey Emerita Professor of Mathematics Notre Dame College
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	I was saddened to hear of the passing of Father Birkenhauer. He remains in my mind as the most outstanding instructor that I had over the four years at JCU. He was an outstanding teacher of mathematics and a personal friend that you could talk to to get over some of the trials of youth, education and life. He will be remembered in my prayers.. Fred Kovar B.S. Physics, 1955 Ph.D., Physics, Washington University, 1963
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	Ben Hauserman (late trustee of JCU) told me about the time, during the unrest (of the late 60's and early 70's) when stangers came to campus and were threatening to take down the flag (in the center of the Quad). Father Birkenhauer stepped forward and said, "You will take this flag down over my dead body." And with that they folded their tents and left. Sister Doris Mooney OSU M.A. Education, 1969
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Memories of 'Henry B ... Father B ... The Polar Priest ... The Kindest Man'