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Denis Dirscherl Obituary
Rev. Denis A. Dirscherl, S.J., was born in Troy, Ohio, on May 10, 1934 to Margaret and Albert and siblings Damian and Elizabeth Ann. He entered the Society of Jesus in 1957 and was ordained to the priesthood in 1967. He earned an A.B. degree in Latin at Loyola University Chicago, an M.A. in Russian from Middlebury College, and a Ph.D. in Russian Studies at Georegtown University with post-doctoral work at several other universities. His ministry included teaching at several high schools, pastoral ministry at numerous parishes, and chaplaincy at several military bases. He served in the United States Air Force, working for the Department of Defense and serving as chaplain at the Warner Robbins and Right Patterson Air Force Bases. He retired with the rank of Colonel after 28 years of military service. In 2017 he joined the Colombiere Jesuit Community where he died on September 28, 2023. Visitation on Tuesday, October 3, 2023 from 4PM until a 7PM Wake Service at Colombiere Center, 9075 Big Lake Rd, Clarkston, MI. Funeral Mass Wednesday, October 4, 2023 at 10:30AM at Colombiere Center. The Mass will also be livestreamed and can be viewed on the Colombiere Center's YouTube page. A.J. Desmond & Sons, (248) 362-2500.
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Memories and Condolences
for Denis Dirscherl
Sponsored by A.J. Desmond & Sons Funeral Directors - Crooks Road Funeral Directors.
1 Entry
Damian Dirscherl
October 6, 2023
My brother Denis (Denny) lived a life of learning and service in USAF and the Jesuits. He joined the Air Force right after high school, learned Russian working in the intelligence division. Later he worked for the U.S. Dept. of Defense utilizing his expertise in the language and Russian history. He was ordained a priest in 1967, served in ministry and teaching until 2017. His final assignment was as chaplain at Wright Patterson AFB near Dayton Ohio.
Denny introduced me to tennis and baseball; I introduced him to running. We ran only one event together; we both qualified and ran the Boston Marathon -- he in 2007 at age 72(!) and I in 1983. Denny made the world a better place. Though he suffered long term dementia, Denny maintained, to the end, his mantra -- "Let A Smile Be Your Umbrella," adopted from an old popular movie song.
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