Brother Robert J. Juenemann

1935 - 2022

Brother Robert J. Juenemann
1935 - 2022
Resident of Cupertino
Brother Robert J., SM (Marianist) Juenemann, was born in Monterey Park, CA on March 16, 1935 to John P. and Elsie S. (Zielski) Juenemann.
He had one brother and three sisters. His brother George and sister Joan Juenemann preceded him in death. His loving sisters Jeanne (Antonellis) and Mary Ann (Flanagan) at his bedside when he died.
They grew up in the hard scrabble years of the Great Depression. His father worked in the family's pickle and sauerkraut business and later in a steel mill. During this time the Marianist Brothers also were working especially hard to provide schooling and find jobs for their students. Those families never forgot.
When Robert graduated from San Gabriel Mission High School in 1954, he met the Marianists and decided to enter religious life and professed first vows on December 8, 1955 and his final vows on August 26, 1961.
As a Marianist he remained dedicated to education, but beyond the classroom, as a Brother focused on the fiscal health and renewal of Marianist schools in a new era with the help of old and new friends of the Marianists.
He was instrumental in creating a Lay Advisory Board for the Marianist Province of the Pacific.
He served on several Advisory Boards and Councils: Junipero Serra High School in Gardena CA, Archbishop Riordan High School in San Francisco CA, St. Joseph's Notre Dame High School in Alameda CA, Chaminade College Preparatory in Chatsworth CA, Chaminade University in Honolulu HI and Dominican Sisters of Mission San Jose Foundation in Mission San Jose CA.
He worked with a number of foundations invaluable in their support of Catholic education for ordinary families.
He initiated Alumni Gatherings with the creation of the St. James High School Scholarship Fund at Archbishop Riordan High School as well as the Alumni gatherings for Chaminade High School at Santa Cruz, St. Mary's in Stockton, and Fresno.
He helped alumni and friends support Marianist works continue to flourish in Korea, Africa, Bangladesh, India, Kenya, Malawi, and Zambia.
Also, construction work became Brother Robert's charge. With the craftsmanship of fellow Marianist Brothers and the enthusiastic support of alumni architects and engineers, several redwood buildings noted for their craftsmanship and beauty were built, including one for the care of the infirm and elderly Marianists at the Marianist Care Center and garden in Cupertino.
As a friend of the Marianists said recently: Bob really and truly made a difference in this world through his many ministries. His fundraising built schools, Marianist communities, the Cupertino complex, helped the spread of the Marianists in India, Korea and other missions, and kept the Pacific Province on its feet through the ebb and flow of economic cycles. He was worked hard and always came through.
It has been said that Brother Robert was a champion for friendship and dedicated himself to friend-raising. He welcomed all to his table as he loved cooking, and many found spiritual refreshment walking the gardens he created.
"I am so lucky to work in fundraising for the Marianists because I have met some of the most wonderful people. They have mentored and cared for me and shared their life experiences. They also have been generous, helping the Marianists in a thousand ways. I can't thank them enough."
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on August 19,2022, at the Queen of Apostles Parish, located at 4911 Moorpark Ave, San Jose, CA, 95129, at 11:00 am. Reception to follow in the parish hall. Interment will take place on August 20, 2022, at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, 22555 Cristo Rey Dr., Los Altos, CA, 94024, at 11:30 am. Memorials may be made to The Marianists, 4425 West Pine Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63108.


View the online memorial for Brother Robert J. Juenemann