Fr. Andrew J. Wahmhoff O.S.B.

Andrew Wahmhoff Obituary

Fr. Andrew J. Wahmhoff, O.S.B., 78, a Benedictine monk of Marmion Abbey, Aurora, passed away Friday, April 10, 2009 at Provena McAuley Manor. He was born Dec. 19, 1931. Father's body will be received by his monastic community at Marmion Abbey, 850 Butterfield Rd., Aurora, IL. 60502, on Tuesday, April 14, 2009 at 4 p.m. Visitation will be from 4 p.m. until 9 p.m. on Tuesday and from 9 a.m. until 10 a.m. on Wednesday prior to the Funeral Mass. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, April 15, 2009 at 10:30 a.m. in the Abbey Church of St. Augustine of Canterbury. Burial will take place immediately following in the Abbey Cemetery. Arrangements were handled by The Daleiden Mortuary, 220 N. Lake Street, Aurora, IL. 60506. 630-631-5500.

www.daleidenmortuary.com

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Published by Chicago Tribune on Apr. 14, 2009.

Memories and Condolences
for Andrew Wahmhoff

7 Entries

Brian OShea

May 1, 2009

I have so many fond memories of my days at Marmion, but there are two specifically involving Fr. Andrew that I would love to share with you.

As a freshman I struggled in Fr. Andrew's Latin class. I tried to maintain a low profile, but my failing grade made it virtually impossible for me to hide. It didn't take very long for Fr. Andrew to recognize my tactic, as I found myself being called upon more frequently to answer questions in his class. Fr. Andrew stopped me in the hallway one day and asked me to come see him later at his room in the dormitory. I was nervous and scared because of my failing grade. However, Fr. Andrew later that afternoon offered me his assistance as a tudor in an effort to help improve my failing grade. I gladly took him up on his offer and I just barely squeaked by.

I wish I could say that as a result of his generosity, compassion, and patience that I finished at the top of my class. I didn't. However, I know that without Fr. Andrew's assistance I wouldn't have passed the class at all. My passing grade was a monumental victory that was celebrated equally by both of us.

Every winter Marmion had a great tradition of creating an outdoor hockey rink across from the parking lot. Fr. Andrew loved to play hockey and he shared our excitement as the first freeze approached. In fact he loved the game so much that he created and manufactured all of the boards for our makeshift rink. Fr. Andrew would tirelessly haul out all of the boards and fastening hardware in his old Willy's jeep. He also took on the task of putting the rink together.

The graduating class before mine had it's share of hockey players in our dorm and when they left so went our labor pool. I wasn't sure if we would assemble the rink that winter and the first freeze was on it's way. I looked out my dorm window one afternoon to find Fr. Andrew hauling out the boards and equipment by himself. I put on my coat and decided to assist him with assembling the rink. It took us a couple of days to put the rink together, but I will never forget the experience.

Fr. Andrew was a tireless worker and I was humbled watching him do back breaking work for the benefit of his students and a game he loved so much. I remember watching his hands (without gloves) shaking from the cold, yet he kept working and never complained once. I have never seen anyone work as hard and despite cutting his hand pretty badly that afternoon, he bandaged it up and kept working until the task was completed.

He shared stories with me about his life growing up on a farm as a boy and spoke fondly about his many brothers and sisters. We chatted about hockey, he asked me questions about my life, and he never once brought up Latin class as the two of us continued working. I appreciated that because it allowed me to see him in a different way.

Fr. Andrew was one of the most humble, hard working, patient, and kind men that I've ever known. He was a great teacher, a pretty scrappy hockey player, a dedicated servant of God, and he was loved and respected by many.

Ed Wilmes

April 14, 2009

Dear Marmion Monastic Community
It is with heavy heart that I write this, as work has taken me to Texas for a bit, and I will be unable to attend the Celebration of Life services for Father Andrew.

Having known Fr Andrew for many years, I truely appreciated his wit and love for Marmion. When he allowed me to assist in the painting of the M on the football field, he offered a glimpse of his passion - his love and pride of Marmion, and his Michigan heritage. The M had another meaning on those Saturdays when Michigan was victorious.....

Please know that I was honored to know Father Andrew, and will have fond memories forever. The Sunday "cook outs" during tree sales days will never be the same - Father Andrew always like the food we grilled, and was never bashful about spicing it up a bit - I always looked forward to the opportunity to prepare the meals as Father Andrew, Fr Bead and Fr Phil enjoyed them so much. ...and the Glug....oh boy.

May God continue to bless the Marmion Community.

Tom and Cindy Moseley

April 14, 2009

Dear Bob, Maureen and family,

I only know you Bob in the family and my guess is that your brother was a great man of God. I am also sure that your brother would never see it that way.
Please know you will all be held up tonight before the Blessed Sacrament during our Adoration. Fr Andrew will be with you as an avenue to God. Be sure to call on his help when you get stuck in your lives. He will be such a blessing to you all. Be in peace. Tom and Cindy

Deacon Jim & Joan Anderson

April 14, 2009

Our thoughts and prayers are with the Family of Fr. Andrew, and his brother Monks and extended family; may your celebration today be a profound experience of faith in the Lord's powerful presence among us!

nancy lopez

April 13, 2009

you will be missed from
Doctor Meschi office

A Friend

April 13, 2009

A truly humble, giving, understanding, great listener and spritual man whose talents seemed endless along with his patience and strength.

How blessed that GOD chose to take this faithful servant on the same day HIS SON left our physical earth. Do don't believe that the day selected for his passing was by chance but believe in the grace that made it be.

Thank you for your kindness during my school years, the years after and for the faith you and all of your brothers at Marmion enhanced in my soul. I pray we meet again.

Elizabeth Miller

April 12, 2009

I thank God, to the family of Father Andrew and the Community of the Marmion Abbey for the privilege and the opportunigy of loving him. Father Andrew, you will be greatly missed. REST IN PEACE1

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