Paul P. Luger

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Fordham University Gonzaga University Seattle University

Paul Luger Obituary

LUGER, SJ,
Fr. Paul

Fr. Paul P. Luger, SJ passed away in the early morning of January 19, 2011, at the Jesuit infirmary at Gonzaga University. He was a man of prayer, science, and people; his life was devoted to service of God, teaching physics, and bringing the love of God to all he met through his quick
smile, warm words, and gentle demeanor.
The third of four sons, Paul Patrick Luger was born in his family home in Spokane on October 7, 1911 to Joseph and Nellie (Boland) Luger. He graduated from Gonzaga High School in 1928 and entered the Jesuit Novitiate in July 1929 at Los Gatos, CA. Paul did the regular course of studies for Jesuit scholastics and was ordained a priest on June 13, 1942, in San Francisco, CA. He completed a Masters of Science in Physics from Fordham University in 1946. Following the completion of his Jesuit training, Fr. Luger taught physics at Seattle University for the next 28 years and retired in 1974. He continued to work in parishes and hospitals in the northwest until he was assigned to the Jesuit assisted-living in Spokane in 1991. Even then he continued to celebrate Mass, visit shut-ins, and walk several miles every day.
The brothers of Fr. Paul also devoted their lives to the Church and society. The oldest, Fr. Howard Luger, SJ, was a Jesuit priest, and second oldest, Dr. Fletcher Luger, MD, served the medical needs of many in Spokane. The youngest, Robert, studied for the priesthood as a Jesuit but died before his ordination.
Fr. Luger is survived by his brother Jesuits of the Oregon Province, nephews George, Robert (deceased), and John, nieces Maryann (Montandon), Loretta Mary, and Therese Marie. There are many grand-nephews and grand-nieces, cousins and friends as well.
The funeral Mass will be 1:30 pm, Saturday, January 22, 2011, at the Jesuit House Chapel on the Gonzaga University campus followed by burial at the Oregon Province Cemetery, Mt. St. Michaels, Spokane, WA. Contributions in honor of Fr. Paul Luger, SJ, may be sent to The Senior Fund, c/o The Oregon Province Society of Jesus (P.O. Box 86010, Portland, OR 97286) or to Hospice of Spokane (P.O. Box 2215, Spokane, WA 99210). Please sign the online memorial book at www.hennesseyfuneralhomes.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to:

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Published by Spokesman-Review from Jan. 21 to Jan. 22, 2011.

Memories and Condolences
for Paul Luger

2 Entries

Gerald Parmantier

January 27, 2011

Father Paul Luger, S.J., helped out at St. James in Vancouver, WA. in the 1980’s and that is how our family got acquainted. I will never forget the day my father, Albert Parmantier, died in 1982. I was at work and my boss informed me. I sped to the hospital but he died before I arrived. I asked my mother if a priest had been called. She said that Father Luger had anointed Dad just before the ambulance left the house.
Father enjoyed talking about his growing up in Spokane. He told the story about his older brother who died before ordination after falling backwards from the podium in the refectory where he had just finished the reading and hitting his head. Father's comment: "He got off easy."
He loved to walk. And one time kicked an uneven spot on the sidewalk and fell face first. His face was all black and blue and he had a hard time lifting his right arm. But he still said Mass (and went back to walking) and had a big smile when asked "what the other guy looked like". He would put a folding chair next to the altar at St. James before Mass where he would say his prayers.
Once he invited me to breakfast in the priest house after early morning Mass. I was off that day and said Yes. When we walked into the kitchen, the housekeeper had two breakfasts sitting on the table. There was one for Father and one for the pastor, Father O’Shea who was still upstairs. So Father Luger told me to go ahead and sit down. The housekeeper said she would make another for the pastor. So of course right in the middle of the breakfast who comes walking into his kitchen but the pastor, Father O’Shea who sees me sitting at his place and eating his breakfast…he wasn’t too happy but was graceful about it. I was embarrassed. Father Luger just smiled.
He was instrumental in getting Share House in Vancouver started and once invited the men and boys who had attended a Saturday morning Mass to help with a “few small jobs.” We spent the day with our sons removing lathe and plaster from the walls of a 2-story house and old plumbing in the crawl space and assorted other tasks at the future Share House, which is still there caring for the homeless.
He was also chaplain at Providence Portland Hospital and saw to it that a crucifix was placed in the new chapel. He contracted Myasthenia gravis and was in intensive care for a while since his breathing muscles weren't working. At this point he must have been close to 80 and I think his superiors moved him to Spokane. However, he had this specialist in Portland so he would borrow his brother's SUV and drive down once in awhile alone.
He helped out at Holy Rosary in Portland when the Dominican Fathers were attending their provincial meeting in Oakland. They left an older Father Hoffman there assisted by Father Luger. Father Hoffman could say Mass all right but ordinary communication was difficult. Once I remarked to him that it was nice that Father Luger was helping out. He looked at me and said, " Yes, he's ....he's.....he's of another faith. " Of course, he meant that he was of another religious order. However, when I told this story to Father Paul Rafferty, OP, he said: “spoken like a true Dominican.”
The last time I saw Father was at Holy Rosary where he had come to Mass on Sunday while on one of his doctor visits. We all went out to breakfast and had a great time.
I would like to end this “in memoriam” with a tribute a fellow Jesuit gave him. The occasion was our daughter Rose's wedding at Holy Rosary in 1999. Father Luger was concelebrating, as was Father Steckler. When the latter arrived and was informed that Father Luger was already in the sacristy, he exclaimed: " Yes, Father Luger...a fellow Jesuit …..and a Catholic too.”

Darlene Allen

January 21, 2011

Sorry to hear of your loss--our family were patients of Dr Luger

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