Fr. James B. Reichmann

1923 - 2019

Fr.  James B. Reichmann obituary, 1923-2019, Seattle, WA

James Reichmann Obituary

SJ Jesuit Father James B. Reichmann, longtime professor of philosophy at Seattle University, died July 19, 2019, at Sacred Heart Jesuit Center, Los Gatos, CA. He was 96 years of age and a Jesuit for 79 years. Fr. Reichmann was born January 14, 1923, in Everett, WA, the son of Linden N. Reichmann and Eva Hale Bell Reichmann. After graduation from Gonzaga High School, Spokane, WA, he entered the Jesuit novitiate at Sheridan, OR, in 1940. His Jesuit studies took him back to Spokane (Gonzaga University, BA 1946, MA 1947, Philosophy), to Rome (STL, Theology, Gregorian University, 1954) and again to the Gregorian University for a doctorate in philosophy in 1960. He had completed his tertianship year, 1954-55, as a Jesuit at Le Puys in France, two years after he was ordained a priest in Rome on July 11, 1953. Father James Reichmann simultaneously taught at Gonzaga High School and Gonzaga University (1947-50), which at that time shared the same campus. His primary assignment was teaching philosophy at the university level. Except for the period teaching Jesuit scholastics at the former Mount St. Michaels (1962-65), his academic career was spent at Seattle University as professor of philosophy, department chair, and finally, emeritus, for a total of 43 years. He retired in 2013 to a ministry of prayer. He was the author of Philosophy of the Human Person (Chicago, 1985), Evolution, Animal Rights, and the Environment (Washington, D.C., 2000) and many articles in scholarly journals. A truly dedicated scholar, his final article, published when he was 90 years old was on the philosophy of the renowned Edith Stein, a brilliant Jewish philosopher, who converted to Catholicism, became a Carmelite nun, and was killed in a German concentration campus. Fr. Reichmann, of course, read her in the original German. His students appreciated his teaching and often remarked that they could count on his being "clear and fair." Fr. Reichmann was famous, clever and notorious for his puns. He had a fascination, some would say obsession, with numbers. He was adeptly fluent in Latin, French, German, Italian, and late in life learned Spanish so that he could celebrate Mass for the Hispanic communities in Seattle. He spoke in fluent Latin, as required, when he taught philosophy to the Jesuit scholastics in the early 1960s. He loved swimming in the Puget Sound at Warm Beach and at the Jesuit summer vacation spot at Hayden Lake-a mile each day. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Jeannie Lavell of Mukilteo, WA, and his brother, Dr. Joe Reichmann of Everett. He is survived by his brother, John L. Reichmann of Cashmere, WA, and sister, Elizabeth Crowell of Radnor, PA. Funeral services were held at Los Gatos with burial at the Jesuit cemetery at Mount St. Michael's, Spokane. A special Memorial Service will be held in the Chapel of St. Ignatius at Seattle University on Wednesday, October 9, 2019 at 12:30 pm. All are welcome.

Published by The Herald (Everett) on Oct. 6, 2019.
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Remembering with deep gratitude and thanks Fr. Reichmann's fine mind, dedicated scholarship, love of languages, and simple delight in truly awful puns. His honors philosophy teaching stands out among the most rewarding of my academic life. May peace be upon his soul. Bridgett Chandler, SU Class of 1983

Bridgett Chandler

October 7, 2019

Companion priests and family members,

We are blessed to have had Father James Reichmann in our life who had been so faithful God and Church.

He liked to drink a cup of tea after his meal; now I am smiling thinking of him who is living in the state of bliss where there is no thirst.

I believe Fr. James Reichmann will continue to bless the church work of spreading the Spirit and Life.

May Fr. Reichmann come to us spiritually and deliver the spiritual water of Life in heaven to all of you so that you can overcome sorrowful hearts now and during the memorial Mass.

With my deep condolences,

Cecilia Lee

October 6, 2019

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Oct

9

Memorial service

12:30 p.m.

Chapel of St. Ignatius at Seattle University

WA

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