Hetzler, Rev. Leo A. C.S.B.
Rochester, NY: Thursday, May 18, 2017, at the age of 91 at the Sisters of St. Joseph Motherhouse. Predeceased by his parents, Leo and Alice Hetzler. Survived by nieces Charlene Coffee and Joanne Fedder and nephew Gary Kohler and his Basilian confrères.
Upon graduation from the Aquinas Institute, Fr. Leo enlisted in the U.S. Army as a combat infantryman and served during World War II both in Europe and in the Pacific. He received the Combat Infantrymen's Award and remained active all his life as a local and national chaplain of the Combat Infantrymen of America.
Fr. Leo professed vows in the Basilian Fathers on September 12, 1947 and attended the University of Toronto. He was ordained a priest on June 29, 1955. He received his Ph.D. in English Literature at Cornell University and served as a beloved professor of English at St. John Fisher College. Fr. Leo lived in community in the Basilian Residence associated with St. John Fisher until he moved to the Motherhouse of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Rochester in 2015.
Calling hours will be held on TUESDAY 3-5 pm and 6-7 pm at the Sisters of St. Joseph Motherhouse 150 French Road, with a concluding Vigil Service at 7 pm. Fr. Leo will lie in state on WEDNESDAY from 10:00 am until his Funeral Mass at 11:00 am at St. Kateri at Christ the King Church, 445 Kings Hwy S. Interment will be at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to Saint John Fisher College, 3690 East Ave., Rochester, NY 14618 or The Basilian Fathers Retirement Fund, c/o 445 Kings Highway S., Rochester, NY 14617 in his memory. To share a memory or sign Fr. Leo's online guestbook, please visit www.Meesonfamily.com.
Reverend Leo Hetzler, C.S.B.
Email message from President Gerard J. Rooney, St. John Fisher College, 18 May 2017:
Dear Alumni:
Earlier this morning, Reverend Leo Hetzler, C.S.B., passed away after a short illness. He was 91 years old.
Fr. Hetzler was born and raised in Rochester, and graduated from Aquinas Institute in 1943. His graduation took place during World War II and he enlisted in the U.S. Army, becoming a combat infantryman in the 86th Division. He traveled extensively during the war, from Germany to Austria and then to the Philippines and Japan.
In 1947, Fr. Hetzler returned to the United States with the intention of studying engineering. His plans changed, and in September 1947, he entered the Congregation of St. Basil. He subsequently enrolled in the University of Toronto, where he received his B.A. and M.A. degrees in English Literature, and went on to receive his Bachelor of Sacred Theology degree from St. Michael’s College and a Ph.D. in English Literature from Cornell University. He was ordained to the priesthood in 1955.
In 1959, the Basilian Fathers sent Fr. Hetzler to Fisher to serve as the chair of the English Department. In 1964, he became a resident assistant and, under his tutelage, the first student RA was tested. During that time, he was the first recipient of the Rev. Joseph Dorsey, C.S.B., Faculty Award for Service to Students.
Fr. Hetzler then spent several years teaching in Canada in the 1960s, where he began what would become his lifelong interest in the Chesterton Society. In 2002, he inaugurated the annual Chesterton Conference at Fisher, and in 2007, he became the first recipient of the Life Achievement Award presented by the American Chesterton Society.
In 1994, Fr. Hetzler retired from teaching but continued his scholarly pursuits. The following year, he became the National Chaplain for the Combat Infantry Association, and in 1998, he became a member of the Board of Trustees of Aquinas Institute.
Fr. Hetzler was honored during our 2014 Commencement Ceremony with the President’s Medal for Service to St. John Fisher College. Last June, he was inducted into the Aquinas Institute Hall of Fame and recognized for “Meritorious Service” which honors a candidate who displays the allegiance and dedication to the core values and mission of the Institute.
He remained an active member of the Basilian Fathers, and kept Fisher very close to his heart. Please keep his extended family, his friends, and the Congregation of St. Basil in your prayers.
Kind regards,
Gerard J. Rooney, Ph.D.
President
Rochester, NY: Thursday, May 18, 2017, at the age of 91 at the Sisters of St. Joseph Motherhouse. Predeceased by his parents, Leo and Alice Hetzler. Survived by nieces Charlene Coffee and Joanne Fedder and nephew Gary Kohler and his Basilian confrères.
Upon graduation from the Aquinas Institute, Fr. Leo enlisted in the U.S. Army as a combat infantryman and served during World War II both in Europe and in the Pacific. He received the Combat Infantrymen's Award and remained active all his life as a local and national chaplain of the Combat Infantrymen of America.
Fr. Leo professed vows in the Basilian Fathers on September 12, 1947 and attended the University of Toronto. He was ordained a priest on June 29, 1955. He received his Ph.D. in English Literature at Cornell University and served as a beloved professor of English at St. John Fisher College. Fr. Leo lived in community in the Basilian Residence associated with St. John Fisher until he moved to the Motherhouse of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Rochester in 2015.
Calling hours will be held on TUESDAY 3-5 pm and 6-7 pm at the Sisters of St. Joseph Motherhouse 150 French Road, with a concluding Vigil Service at 7 pm. Fr. Leo will lie in state on WEDNESDAY from 10:00 am until his Funeral Mass at 11:00 am at St. Kateri at Christ the King Church, 445 Kings Hwy S. Interment will be at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to Saint John Fisher College, 3690 East Ave., Rochester, NY 14618 or The Basilian Fathers Retirement Fund, c/o 445 Kings Highway S., Rochester, NY 14617 in his memory. To share a memory or sign Fr. Leo's online guestbook, please visit www.Meesonfamily.com.
Reverend Leo Hetzler, C.S.B.
Email message from President Gerard J. Rooney, St. John Fisher College, 18 May 2017:
Dear Alumni:
Earlier this morning, Reverend Leo Hetzler, C.S.B., passed away after a short illness. He was 91 years old.
Fr. Hetzler was born and raised in Rochester, and graduated from Aquinas Institute in 1943. His graduation took place during World War II and he enlisted in the U.S. Army, becoming a combat infantryman in the 86th Division. He traveled extensively during the war, from Germany to Austria and then to the Philippines and Japan.
In 1947, Fr. Hetzler returned to the United States with the intention of studying engineering. His plans changed, and in September 1947, he entered the Congregation of St. Basil. He subsequently enrolled in the University of Toronto, where he received his B.A. and M.A. degrees in English Literature, and went on to receive his Bachelor of Sacred Theology degree from St. Michael’s College and a Ph.D. in English Literature from Cornell University. He was ordained to the priesthood in 1955.
In 1959, the Basilian Fathers sent Fr. Hetzler to Fisher to serve as the chair of the English Department. In 1964, he became a resident assistant and, under his tutelage, the first student RA was tested. During that time, he was the first recipient of the Rev. Joseph Dorsey, C.S.B., Faculty Award for Service to Students.
Fr. Hetzler then spent several years teaching in Canada in the 1960s, where he began what would become his lifelong interest in the Chesterton Society. In 2002, he inaugurated the annual Chesterton Conference at Fisher, and in 2007, he became the first recipient of the Life Achievement Award presented by the American Chesterton Society.
In 1994, Fr. Hetzler retired from teaching but continued his scholarly pursuits. The following year, he became the National Chaplain for the Combat Infantry Association, and in 1998, he became a member of the Board of Trustees of Aquinas Institute.
Fr. Hetzler was honored during our 2014 Commencement Ceremony with the President’s Medal for Service to St. John Fisher College. Last June, he was inducted into the Aquinas Institute Hall of Fame and recognized for “Meritorious Service” which honors a candidate who displays the allegiance and dedication to the core values and mission of the Institute.
He remained an active member of the Basilian Fathers, and kept Fisher very close to his heart. Please keep his extended family, his friends, and the Congregation of St. Basil in your prayers.
Kind regards,
Gerard J. Rooney, Ph.D.
President
Hetzler, Rev. Leo A. C.S.B.
Rochester, NY: Thursday, May 18, 2017, at the age of 91 at the Sisters of St. Joseph Motherhouse. Predeceased by his parents, Leo and Alice Hetzler. Survived by nieces Charlene Coffee and Joanne Fedder and nephew Gary Kohler and his Basilian confrères.
Upon graduation from the Aquinas Institute, Fr. Leo enlisted in the U.S. Army as a combat infantryman and served during World War II both in Europe and in the Pacific. He received the Combat Infantrymen's Award and remained active all his life as a local and national chaplain of the Combat Infantrymen of America.
Fr. Leo professed vows in the Basilian Fathers on September 12, 1947 and attended the University of Toronto. He was ordained a priest on June 29, 1955. He received his Ph.D. in English Literature at Cornell University and served as a beloved professor of English at St. John Fisher College. Fr. Leo lived in community in the Basilian Residence associated with St. John Fisher until he moved to the Motherhouse of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Rochester in 2015.
Calling hours will be held on TUESDAY 3-5 pm and 6-7 pm at the Sisters of St. Joseph Motherhouse 150 French Road, with a concluding Vigil Service at 7 pm. Fr. Leo will lie in state on WEDNESDAY from 10:00 am until his Funeral Mass at 11:00 am at St. Kateri at Christ the King Church, 445 Kings Hwy S. Interment will be at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to Saint John Fisher College, 3690 East Ave., Rochester, NY 14618 or The Basilian Fathers Retirement Fund, c/o 445 Kings Highway S., Rochester, NY 14617 in his memory. To share a memory or sign Fr. Leo's online guestbook, please visit www.Meesonfamily.com.
Reverend Leo Hetzler, C.S.B.
Email message from President Gerard J. Rooney, St. John Fisher College, 18 May 2017:
Dear Alumni:
Earlier this morning, Reverend Leo Hetzler, C.S.B., passed away after a short illness. He was 91 years old.
Fr. Hetzler was born and raised in Rochester, and graduated from Aquinas Institute in 1943. His graduation took place during World War II and he enlisted in the U.S. Army, becoming a combat infantryman in the 86th Division. He traveled extensively during the war, from Germany to Austria and then to the Philippines and Japan.
In 1947, Fr. Hetzler returned to the United States with the intention of studying engineering. His plans changed, and in September 1947, he entered the Congregation of St. Basil. He subsequently enrolled in the University of Toronto, where he received his B.A. and M.A. degrees in English Literature, and went on to receive his Bachelor of Sacred Theology degree from St. Michael’s College and a Ph.D. in English Literature from Cornell University. He was ordained to the priesthood in 1955.
In 1959, the Basilian Fathers sent Fr. Hetzler to Fisher to serve as the chair of the English Department. In 1964, he became a resident assistant and, under his tutelage, the first student RA was tested. During that time, he was the first recipient of the Rev. Joseph Dorsey, C.S.B., Faculty Award for Service to Students.
Fr. Hetzler then spent several years teaching in Canada in the 1960s, where he began what would become his lifelong interest in the Chesterton Society. In 2002, he inaugurated the annual Chesterton Conference at Fisher, and in 2007, he became the first recipient of the Life Achievement Award presented by the American Chesterton Society.
In 1994, Fr. Hetzler retired from teaching but continued his scholarly pursuits. The following year, he became the National Chaplain for the Combat Infantry Association, and in 1998, he became a member of the Board of Trustees of Aquinas Institute.
Fr. Hetzler was honored during our 2014 Commencement Ceremony with the President’s Medal for Service to St. John Fisher College. Last June, he was inducted into the Aquinas Institute Hall of Fame and recognized for “Meritorious Service” which honors a candidate who displays the allegiance and dedication to the core values and mission of the Institute.
He remained an active member of the Basilian Fathers, and kept Fisher very close to his heart. Please keep his extended family, his friends, and the Congregation of St. Basil in your prayers.
Kind regards,
Gerard J. Rooney, Ph.D.
President
Rochester, NY: Thursday, May 18, 2017, at the age of 91 at the Sisters of St. Joseph Motherhouse. Predeceased by his parents, Leo and Alice Hetzler. Survived by nieces Charlene Coffee and Joanne Fedder and nephew Gary Kohler and his Basilian confrères.
Upon graduation from the Aquinas Institute, Fr. Leo enlisted in the U.S. Army as a combat infantryman and served during World War II both in Europe and in the Pacific. He received the Combat Infantrymen's Award and remained active all his life as a local and national chaplain of the Combat Infantrymen of America.
Fr. Leo professed vows in the Basilian Fathers on September 12, 1947 and attended the University of Toronto. He was ordained a priest on June 29, 1955. He received his Ph.D. in English Literature at Cornell University and served as a beloved professor of English at St. John Fisher College. Fr. Leo lived in community in the Basilian Residence associated with St. John Fisher until he moved to the Motherhouse of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Rochester in 2015.
Calling hours will be held on TUESDAY 3-5 pm and 6-7 pm at the Sisters of St. Joseph Motherhouse 150 French Road, with a concluding Vigil Service at 7 pm. Fr. Leo will lie in state on WEDNESDAY from 10:00 am until his Funeral Mass at 11:00 am at St. Kateri at Christ the King Church, 445 Kings Hwy S. Interment will be at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to Saint John Fisher College, 3690 East Ave., Rochester, NY 14618 or The Basilian Fathers Retirement Fund, c/o 445 Kings Highway S., Rochester, NY 14617 in his memory. To share a memory or sign Fr. Leo's online guestbook, please visit www.Meesonfamily.com.
Reverend Leo Hetzler, C.S.B.
Email message from President Gerard J. Rooney, St. John Fisher College, 18 May 2017:
Dear Alumni:
Earlier this morning, Reverend Leo Hetzler, C.S.B., passed away after a short illness. He was 91 years old.
Fr. Hetzler was born and raised in Rochester, and graduated from Aquinas Institute in 1943. His graduation took place during World War II and he enlisted in the U.S. Army, becoming a combat infantryman in the 86th Division. He traveled extensively during the war, from Germany to Austria and then to the Philippines and Japan.
In 1947, Fr. Hetzler returned to the United States with the intention of studying engineering. His plans changed, and in September 1947, he entered the Congregation of St. Basil. He subsequently enrolled in the University of Toronto, where he received his B.A. and M.A. degrees in English Literature, and went on to receive his Bachelor of Sacred Theology degree from St. Michael’s College and a Ph.D. in English Literature from Cornell University. He was ordained to the priesthood in 1955.
In 1959, the Basilian Fathers sent Fr. Hetzler to Fisher to serve as the chair of the English Department. In 1964, he became a resident assistant and, under his tutelage, the first student RA was tested. During that time, he was the first recipient of the Rev. Joseph Dorsey, C.S.B., Faculty Award for Service to Students.
Fr. Hetzler then spent several years teaching in Canada in the 1960s, where he began what would become his lifelong interest in the Chesterton Society. In 2002, he inaugurated the annual Chesterton Conference at Fisher, and in 2007, he became the first recipient of the Life Achievement Award presented by the American Chesterton Society.
In 1994, Fr. Hetzler retired from teaching but continued his scholarly pursuits. The following year, he became the National Chaplain for the Combat Infantry Association, and in 1998, he became a member of the Board of Trustees of Aquinas Institute.
Fr. Hetzler was honored during our 2014 Commencement Ceremony with the President’s Medal for Service to St. John Fisher College. Last June, he was inducted into the Aquinas Institute Hall of Fame and recognized for “Meritorious Service” which honors a candidate who displays the allegiance and dedication to the core values and mission of the Institute.
He remained an active member of the Basilian Fathers, and kept Fisher very close to his heart. Please keep his extended family, his friends, and the Congregation of St. Basil in your prayers.
Kind regards,
Gerard J. Rooney, Ph.D.
President
