Fr. Agatho Flading (1900-1969)

Father Agatho Flading passed away August 11, 1969.

Father Agatho was born in Russia but when he was eight years of age moved to the United States with his family.  They were Volga German, first going to Grinnell, Kan., and later to Longmont, Colo.  Though the owner of a farm, the young Anton came to Atchison to study and stayed to enter St. Benedict’s Abbey.  He made his novitiate at St. Vincent Archabbey and professed vows July 2, 1923.  After ordination in May 1929 he received a master’s in chemistry from Iowa State.  For 37 years Father Agatho taught chemistry at St. Benedict’s College and was also the student infirmarian.  Upon retirement in 1966 he served as Chaplain in hospitals in Sabetha, Kan., and Fort. Dodge, Iowa.  He died while on supply at Gravois Mills, Mo.

Father Agatho had a hearty laugh and was a lively person.  His “Chemistry without pain” class for non-science majors was an experience not to be forgotten.  His prescription for the students in the Infirmary was to take a couple of aspirins and keep on “running, jumping, and breathing.”