Marcus Reno Berquist

Mr. Berquist was unquestionably my favorite teacher at TAC. He had an amazing ability to draw critical distinctions to illuminate a point. He was always so patient and generous in sharing his time to discuss any philosophical issue. In class I sat spellbound by his insights into whatever we were studying.

During my school years there have been just two subjects that I found really distasteful. One was grammar and the other was foreign language, especially Latin. Yet somehow my...

I just learned of his death today. I am so very sorry.

Kay Berquist Nelson

Dear Berquist Family and those at TAC who were close to Mr. Berquist,
You have my deepest sympathy in your loss of such a great, gentle and holy man. I pray that Mr. Berquist, so dedicated to the truth, so noble and generous in desiring to pass it on to others, and so worthy in so many ways, now rests and sees the face of God. And may the Great Consoler bless you and give you strength, courage, and hope.

Although I never had Mr. Berquist as a tutor during my short Fresh/Soph year stay at TAC, it is to him and to his fellow founders that I owe a great debt of gratitude for, among other numerous things, my renewed fervor for my Catholic faith, dearest friends, a love for sacred music, and my husband. Without a college like Thomas Aquinas, I would not have spent the past 7 years so happily married to my classmate and best friend. I am also grateful for the friendship that the Berquist family...

My sophomore year, I was walking through the Commons past the old chapel and encountered a group of students earnestly whispering to each other. I came to find out that they were deliberating what to do about Mr. Berquist. He was scheduled to teach their class and was 20 minutes late. Peter Miller (now at a Monastery in Clear Creek) found him praying in the chapel. Peter said something along the lines of, "I mean, you just can't interrupt that." The class decided to wait outside until he...

At my first Don Rags, the tutors said positive things until Mr. Berquist spoke. He said, "I'm glad to hear this, but I'm surprised because Mr. Probasco has shown me nothing in Latin."

Ouch.

When it was my turn to speak, I explained that I found the curriculum to be fun, except for Latin.

Mr. Berquist asked, "So are you saying that you don't do well in Latin because you don't find it...fun�?

"Yes�, I replied.

The tutors looked at each...

I remember one class in Room 106, when a peacock came along and seemed to be peering intently through the glass of the door into the classroom. Mr. Berquist said, "The peacock also desires to know."

What a wonderful man and teacher. May he rest in peace.

I am keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers. Thanks for sharing such a wonderful man with the world and TAC. I have been blessed by his presence and work.

Rebecca Likiardopoulos