Rev. Paul R. Beining S.J.

The Rev. Paul R. Beining, S.J., 81, died Saturday, March 20, 2004, in Scranton. A native of Pittsburgh, Father Beining entered the Society of Jesus at the Novitiate of Saint Isaac Jogues in Wernersville in 1942. Ordained to the priesthood on June 19, 1955, by Archbishop Francis P. Keough, he pronounced his final vows in the Society of Jesus in 1957. He earned his bachelor's degree in biology from Spring Hill College, Alabama; a master's in bacteriology and Ph.D. in microbiology from Catholic University, Washington, D.C., and a bachelor's in sacred theology and licentiate in theology from Woodstock College, Maryland. He also completed advanced graduate study in immunology and virology at the University of Pennsylvania. Father Beining first joined the University of Scranton faculty in 1949 while serving his regency in the Society of Jesus, leaving in 1951 to undertake his graduate studies at Catholic University. He served as assistant professor biology at St. Joseph's University, Philadelphia, from 1962 to 1966 and for one year as associate professor of biology and department chair at Wheeling Jesuit University, West Virginia. He returned to Scranton in 1967, rising to the rank of full professor in 1974. For more than 20 consecutive years, including summers, intercessions and a full-year sabbatical, Father Beining engaged in sponsored research for the National Institutes of Health and the Food and Drug Administration in the laboratory of streptococcal diseases and the laboratory of microbial immunity. His research evolved through the years, keeping pace with the serious, life-threatening diseases of the day. From bacteria behind toxic shock syndrome to the HIV virus that causes AIDS, Father Beining steadily sought answers to plaguing questions in the hope of contributing to cures and vaccines. He participated in a major symposium on new vaccines at Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y., in 1988 and presented other research findings at conferences in The Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland and Austria. His professional affiliations included the American Society of Microbiology, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, Sigma Xi (international honor society in scientific research), Smithsonian Associates, the Pennsylvania Academy of Sciences and the West Virginia Academy of Sciences. An active community volunteer, his previous board service includes the Lackawanna County Chapter of the Pennsylvania Association of Retarded Citizens, United Cerebral Palsy and Emergency Medical Services. He also provided assistance to various local parishes in the Diocese of Scranton. He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Catherine (Farbacher), and brothers Richard and William. Surviving are sister Katherine Lunz of Pittsburgh and nieces and nephews. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at Campion Hall, the Jesuit residence on the university's campus. Funeral at 10 a.m. Thursday in Madonna della Strada Chapel, the university's chapel on Monroe Avenue, Scranton. Interment will be at the Jesuit Center at Wernersville. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Rev. Paul R. Beining, S.J., Scholarship Fund at the University of Scranton, Scranton, PA 18510. The fund benefits needy students born and raised in Northeastern Pennsylvania, with consideration given to biology majors.