Father Martin was loved and accepted by both the students he taught and the faculty with whom he taught. His father, John Taylor was an internal oblate of the Abbey. The monk faculty each year was treated to a fifth of “Old Taylor” by Brother John to celebrate Father Martin’s birthday, March 22, 1927.

Father David is known for his devoted service in the Abbey Library, as Chaplain to the Sisters of Mount St. Scholatica Monastery for 38 years, and for his long-time cultivation of irises and later, orchids. In fact, he discovered a new species of orchid in Brazil, the Orleanesia mineriosensis, which the Oakes Ames collection at Harvard University allowed him to name.

Father Thomas brought to us great story-telling ability, musical talent, a love for the military and police work. He was an army chaplain, 1953-58, and chaplain to the Atchison Police Department, 1975-93. He was deeply respected by the officers and their families.

Known as Jim Deitchman, he entered the community as a lay brother after graduation from Rockhurst High School, making first vows in 1954. As Brother Philip his mind was full of ideas and projects, of course showing some of this when on the Camp Staff. With the help of others including Brother Raymond Pfeifer, he rejuvenated the Abbey vineyards, added French varieties of purple and white grapes for table and Mass wine, made a sweet mead for Christmas pleasure that allowed confreres to “run the way of God’s commandments with expanded hearts.”

Brother Martin Burkhard was born May 7, 1916 in Anaheim, California, the son of John and Clara (Depweg) Burkhard.

Br. Martin attended Anaheim Union High School in the early 1930s. He first tried the monastic life with the Trappist monks in Pecos, New Mexico (that community has since moved to Oregon), and in 1949 he came to St. Benedict's Abbey as a claustural oblate.

A monk of many talents and services to the Church and its people, a monk and priest with multiple roles, Father James Downey was born in Plattsburg, Mo., September 19, 1920.  He attended St. Rita High School in Cameron, Mo., and graduated from Plattsburg High School in 1938.

Father Edwin Kassens, the nephew of Father Peter Kassens, mentioned in the account of the call or vocation of Father Matthias Stein for January 26, was born in Vincennes, Ind.  He came to Kansas and enrolled in St. Benedict’s College.  John Kassens was given the name Edwin and was professed in 1884, ordained in 1889. 

After some studies at St. Benedict’s High School and College, Matthias made first profession July 11, 1891, and was ordained June 28, 1896.  He was named Director of the College in 1897 and Business Manager of the College for 18 years. 

A quote from an obituary on file in the Abbey archives will have to suffice for the necrology entry for Father Bede:  “Rev. Bede Durham, OSB, chaplain of the Saint Elizabeth Hospital, Elizabeth, N.J., died last Thursday at the age of 67 years.

During World War II some German U-boat prisoners of war murdered a fellow prisoner at a camp in Texas.  They were tried, convicted and sent to the disciplinary barracks at Fort Leavenworth, Kan., to await execution by hanging.  Father Justin, then Chaplain to the Sisters of Charity, Leavenworth, ministered to those men to the time of the execution. 

Brother Joseph was the second monk of our community to die.  The first was Brother Bernard Ball.  Joseph von Bragel was born in Westphalia, Germany, March 3, 1837, and made first profession here March 19, 1863. 

Catfisherman, maker of horseradish, pastor, teacher of Latin at Maur Hill, infirmarian there also, gardener, all these titles applied to Father Germain.  He was Master of Brothers at the Abbey and in charge of the Abbey farms as well.

Brother Aloysius collapsed at breakfast.  Brother Walter Landwher, no small man, picked him up in his arms and carried him to the room next to the first floor recreation room, then occupied by Father Francis Broderick, where he died of a heart attack.  Brother Al had been a monk 19 years and made his first vows in 1936. 

Father Peter Kassens was touted in his obituary as one of the greatest circuit riders and educators in the state of Kansas; all this for a man born in Germany who came to Atchison from St. Louis in 1863 as a shoemaker. 

Another one of the many members of the community German in origin, Father Suitbert was born in Remagen Rhenish, Prussia, came to the United States, possibly with his family, began and finished classical studies at St. Vincent College, Latrobe, Pa.  He entered the Benedictine Order there, made his vows July 11, 1863, and was ordained in 1867.

St. Malachy’s Parish, Creston, Iowa, a parish attended by the abbey community, sent Father Bede.  He made his first profession July 11, 1931, finished his philosophical studies at Sant’Anselmo, Rome, and after doing theology as well, was ordained July 12, 1936.