Rev. Denis Denis Dirscherl S.J.

CLARKSTON, MI - Rev. Denis Dirscherl, S.J., age 89, died on September 28, 2023, at the Jesuit Colombiere Center in Clarkston, Michigan.

He was born in Troy, Ohio, on May 10, 1934, to Margaret & Albert Dirscherl.

He is survived by a brother, Damian "Bud" Dirscherl (Linda) & niece Lydia Dirscherl of Rockingham VA; niece Kathy Royer, of Cincinnati OH; niece Karla Adams of Auburn GA; and niece Kelly Dulac of Deland FL.

Denis graduated from Troy High School in 1952. He served four years in the U. S. Air Force, learning Russian in the intelligence division. He entered the Jesuits in 1957 & was ordained in 1967. He lived a life of learning and service.

He earned degrees in Latin and Russian, a Ph.D. in Russian Studies. Besides his teaching & ministry work he was a prolific writer about religion and the effect of Russia on the world. He edited and contributed to books, including Speaking of God - Essays on Belief & Unbelief; The New Russia - Communism in Evolution. He wrote innumerable articles for journals, newspapers and magazines.

Denis did ministry and teaching in Lexington KY, Sidney OH, Williamsport MD & Annapolis MD. In 2004 he returned "home" (near Troy) to Wright Patterson AFB as an Auxiliary Catholic Chaplain.

Denis enjoyed tennis, played it in the National Senior Games. He was an umpire at tennis events, college and professional. He ran marathons, highlighted by the Boston Marathon, at age 72. His motto was: "A sound mind in a sound body." Final services are at the Colombiere Center: Visitation & Wake, October 3; Funeral Mass, October 4.