- ST.
NORBERT ABBEY
- DE
PERE, WISCONSIN, U.S.A.
- Rev.
Basil R. Reuss, O. Praem.
- b. Saturday, July 11,
1903 – d. Friday, Mar. 20, 1959
Our brother
Basil Reuss was born in
Wilkensburg
,
Pennsylvania
in 1903. He enrolled at
Catholic
University
in 1921 and graduated with an LL.B. in 1925, and began practicing law with a
Pittsburgh
firm that same year. Basil came to
the college, was vested as a novice in 1929, and spent his novitiate with the
first group of novices at the newly opened novitiate in
Madison
. From 1930 until 1934, he assisted
Fr. Rybrook with the “Annals of
St. Joseph
,” writing articles and editing. He
professed solemn vows in 1934, and was appointed to the college faculty and as
editor of the Annals.
In
1944, Basil became chaplain at the Green Bay Reformatory and remained there until 1948.
From 1951 until 1959, as a noted speaker, retreat master, and professor
of political science and history, he became well known through radio, and later
television. His commentary on
current events called, “Let’s Think About It,” was very popular throughout
the
Fox Valley. He was also a well-read author of
articles for the diocesan newspaper, “The Green Bay
Register.”
During
the ‘50’s, Basil taught homiletics to the junior theologians at the abbey.
After spending hours in preparation for presentation, the frat would
begin his homily. “Stop!” Basil
would say. And from there on, for
the rest of the class, Basil would wax eloquent on what his thoughts were on the
subject. So much for all the poor frat’s
studious and lengthy preparation!
After
having just undergone a physical check-up at St. Vincent Hospital, and given a
clean slate of health, Basil was found dead in his room on Friday, March 20, 1959.
He was 55 years old.
