1923 – 2018

Words of Remembrance for Brother Herman Paul, FSC

Delivered by Brother Eric Henderson, FSC
Mass of Christian Burial
La Salle Hall
Ammendale, MD
December 31, 2018

Family, friends, and Brothers, thank you for joining us for the Mass of Christian Burial for Br. Herman Paul.

“Der, die, das . . .” “I hear footprints.” … “Do you think the rain will hurt the rhubarb?” are several of the expressions of Br. Herman Paul known by many that reflect his sense of humor. A man of faith and uncomplicated principles whose innate ability to figure out the workings and problems of electrical devices or school wide heating systems and plumbing were known and respected.

Following high school education in Central Catholic High in Wheeling, WV, and at La Salle Hall in Ammendale, MD, Herman attended Catholic University for a BS in Physics. At the University of Pittsburgh, he received an M.Litt. degree in Math. Additional studies were done in physics and math at Stevens Institute of Technology, NJ, Fordham, NY, and Duquesne University, PA. His background in math and physics were sound qualifications for his teaching of physics, and for his transition from the physics classroom and lab teaching to working in maintenance. His physics teaching was engaging for the students with much hands-on experience to support lecture and that followed the challenging PSSC Physics discovery curriculum. His demonstrations in physics using equipment that he designed, pre-staged the techniques of ABC’s TV action adventure character Angus MacGyver. He would often show me demonstration equipment that he had made for his classes that had the quality of teaching materials sold by science equipment vendors. He would help me with the making of demonstration materials for chemistry that I still have and use. A recent donation of dated lab equipment from Carnegie Mellon University to Central Catholic involved a gift of over a dozen electric variable transformers. Herman spent several days checking the circuitry and wires and installing new wiring so that the transformers could be safely used in our chemistry classes.

No matter how focused on his own work or hobby, Herman was always comfortable putting it on pause, and offering his help or advice. The list is long but includes giving help to a teacher with a question, repairing a broken fan for a faculty member, gluing together a broken statue, attending to a leaking water pipe, adjusting a public address system for a school Mass to name a few. That the mechanical functions of Bishop Walsh School were in working order and that the building was comfortable on cold winter mornings were due to his daily 4:30 a.m. trek to the school building to turn on the school boilers.

That students quietly received tuition help is another dimension of Herman’s generosity. Over the years Herman contributed to the tuition needs of students at Bishop Walsh and Central Catholic and most recently for a four year old boy in Cochabamba, Bolivia. For many years at BW and at Central Catholic, Herman saved scrap metal for recycling, using the money to buy school bus tires, repair the school truck, purchase maintenance equipment and tools. In one estimate of his recycling, he told me that he had given the business department at Bishop Walsh over $20,000, and I know that, at Central, he helped me recycle over $11,000 of metal since 2011. That money has been used to purchase lab equipment and fund the Br. Richard Grezeskiewicz tuition fund at Central.

At Bishop Walsh his creativity and humor led Herman to fabricate discarded pieces of metal and weld them into whimsical creations that served as outdoor art work. Lacking an arc welder at Central Catholic, Herman used Super Glue to turn sheet metal, rods, and spigot handles into boldly painted flowers mounted on wood bases. Many of these flowers became gifts and several of them were given to the Central Catholic auction effort.

Br. Charles Huber reminded me of Br. Herman’s love of nature up to a point. In a battle of wits, Herman designed and redesigned a number of squirrel proof bird feeders. The athletic prowess of some Western Maryland squirrels prompted Herman to prune back tree branches near the feeder and install various deterrents at ground level. Unlike Br. Pat Power, Br. Herman never used electricity as a deterrent.

Herman was active in hiking, caving, and biking, always engaging Brothers and students to join him for trips to Dolly Sods, WV, Sinnett Cave, WV, or the C&O Canal tow path. On one occasion as president of the Cumberland area caving club, he was involved in the rescue of a college student from Frostburg University who had gotten trapped overnight in a local cave. The efforts of many cavers took over a day. The young man was finally rescued with the help of a petite woman from the Pittsburgh area caving club who was able to reach him.

In addition to watching sports events on TV, Herman was a follower of the Weather Channel and could be relied upon to give us some accurate forecasts having watched the program faithfully during the day.

Daily mass and prayers were the underlying exercises that were always a part of Herman’s day, even if the weather provided a challenge in getting to a church. At community exercises, only an occasional maintenance problem could keep him from being with the Brothers for prayers or mass.

In speaking with Br. Kevin Dalmasse about Herman, Kevin was reminded of the scripture reading in John 1: 47 in which Jesus calls Philip and Nathaniel. “When Jesus saw Nathaniel approaching, He said of him, ‘Here is a true Israelite, in whom there is no guile.’”

A “gentleman” as well as a “gentle man” were facets of Herman’s lived vocabulary.’

Now, as he has reached his eternal home, after a lifetime of service, may he rest in peace.

Please pray for the repose of the soul of Brother Herman Paul, FSC

Born Herman Joseph Paul in Wheeling WV on 11 February 1923

Entered the Ammendale MD Juniorate on 20 May 1938

Entered the Ammendale MD Novitiate on 6 July 1941

Received the Religious Habit and the Name Brother Elixus Stephen on 7 September 1941

Pronounced Perpetual Vows in Ammendale MD on 28 August 1948

Died at De La Salle Hall in Lincroft NJ on 26 December 2018

Funeral Arrangements

Monday, 31 December 2018

Viewing – 9.30 am to 10.30 am
Mass of Christian Burial – 10.30 am

at

La Salle Hall
6001 Ammendale Road
Beltsville MD 20705

Burial following

at

La Salle Hall – Saint Joseph’s Cemetery
6001 Ammendale Road
Beltsville MD 20705

 

Brother Herman peacefully passed away Wednesday afternoon with several of his Brothers at his bedside. Brother Herman is predeceased by his brother, Brother Stephen Paul.

The District of Eastern North America remembers Brother Herman with memorial liturgies according to the tradition of the Institute. Through their prayers, communities, and individuals entrust Brother Herman to God’s loving care.

May he rest in peace.

Assignments

1942–1946
Washington DC
Scholasticate

1946–1959
Philadelphia PA
La Salle High School

1959–1964
Pittsburgh PA
Central Catholic High School

1964–1966
Canton OH
Central Catholic High School

1966–2011
Cumberland MD
Bishop Walsh Schools

2011–2017
Pittsburgh PA
Central Catholic High School

2017–2017
Lincroft NJ
De La Salle Hall (convalescence)

2017–2018
Beltsville MD
La Salle Hall (retired)

2018
Lincroft NJ
De La Salle Hall