Fr. Alcuin Hemman (1911-1986)
Father Alcuin Hemman passed away October 14, 1986.
After first profession June 15, 1933, and ordination June 3, 1939, Father Alcuin Hemmen was sent to the University of Michigan where he earned both a masters and a doctor’s degree in German Language and Literature. Perhaps he is most remembered as an administrator at St. Benedict’s College where he was professor, dean of men, and director of public relations, academic dean, alumni director and the last president before the merger that created Benedictine College.
He served Benedictine College well as director of planned giving. The calls he made and the friends he cultivated in this role were instrumental in keeping Benedictine College afloat in less prosperous times. Father Alcuin served faithfully in Falls City, Neb., and Leavenworth, Kan., parishes on most weekends.
Father Alcuin loved bridge and played as often as time would allow. Once as he was preparing to sing a German song at a “Gong” show during an abbey Summer outing, Father Arthur Sullivan who was in charge of the “Gong” in a rare manifestation of power, mercilessly “gonged” him before he even began, thereby nipping his performance in the bud. As always father Alcuin was irrepressible in the face of criticism.
