Fr. Pius Pretz (1890-1977)

Father Pius and his brother, Father Paschal, graced the Abbey community by their presence for a total of 121 years.  Father Pius was in mathematics, Father Paschal in physics.  Each had a unique presence.  There is a lovely picture of Pius holding a card in his hands underneath his beaming sign that reads:  88 consecutive semesters!  This was on the occasion of his retirement.

Father Pius was born in Shawnee, Kan., came to St. Benedict’s for his high school and college education.  He entered the community, did his novitiate at St. Vincent Archabbey, and was ordained June 2, 1917.  He had earned a bachelors and masters from St. John’s University, Collegeville, Minn., in 1913 and 1915, respectively.  He did his theology there as well.

To quote the death notice, “Father Pius was a beloved and gifted classroom teacher of mathematics.  A member of many professional societies, he taught 44 consecutive academic years at St. Benedict’s, forgoing sabbatical leaves.  He also taught many summer sessions at Mount St. Scholastica College, Atchison.  While a professor, Father Pius served as a weekend assistant in many parishes and lived at St. Charles, Troy, Kan., 1924-26.  He served as a chaplain at St. Mary’s Hospital, Manhattan, Kan., where he was disabled by a stroke in 1963.  In retirement at the abbey he, even in his wheelchair, brought his joy to the community.