Fr. Bertrand Easterday (1899-1945)

Father Bertrand Easterday passed away February 28, 1945.

Leo Easterday was born in Salina, Kan., and came to St. Benedict’s in 1917.  He entered the novitiate in 1923 and was ordained to the priesthood in 1928.  He spent many of his years teaching and coaching at Maur Hill.  He was a successful mentor, coach and teacher, and, in addition, was highly respected for his humor and friendliness.

Father Bertrand left Atchison to coach football at the newly founded school in Mexico City.  The Abbey had attempted a foundation there near Tepeyac, near the site of the apparitions of Mary to Juan Diego.  At a banquet on the night before he left for his new post, Father Bertrand offered the following piece of advice to all his players, which are on a plaque inside the lobby of the gym at Maur Hill:  “Play the game as a gentleman should play it.  It is not the game but how you play it that counts.  And if you lose a battle be ready to accept it in the great spirit in which you fought.  It is no disgrace to lose a ball game, but it is a disgrace if you do not live and play a clean and pure life.”