Submitted by: Dan Rich

Rev. David H. Fosselman CSC

Dec. 24, 1917 - June 11, 2000

South Bend Tribune 6/14/2000

Rev. David H. Fosselman, C.S.C., 82, died of natural causes on Sunday, June 11, in his home at Holy Cross House, Notre Dame, Ind. Father Fosselman was born on Dec. 24, 1917, in Huntington, Ind., to the late Charles F. and Nora M. (Brown) Fosselman.

After graduation from St. Mary's Grade School in Huntington, he entered Holy Cross Seminary, Notre Dame, in 1931 as a freshman in the high school program, graduating in 1934, and spent a year at the University of Notre Dame before entering the Holy Cross Novitiate in 1935. Father Fosselman graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 1939 and continued his theological studies for four years at Holy Cross College in Washington, D.C. Father Fosselman made his perpetual profession of religious vows on Aug. 16, 1936. He was ordained to the priesthood at Sacred Heart Church, Notre Dame, on June 24, 1943. Following ordination, Father Fosselman taught at Holy Cross Seminary, Notre Dame, for one year, then entered the Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C. There he was awarded a master's degree in social work in 1947 and a Ph.D. in sociology in 1950.

Father Fosselman taught at the University of Portland, Portland, Ore., from 1950-1965. From 1965-1971 he then entered a different field of ministry, joining the west coast Holy Cross Mission Band in San Jose, Calif. During his work with this assignment, he also served for a time as chaplain of the Newman Club at San Jose State College. He then spent four years (1971-1975) as director of the Youth Services Bureau of White County, Ind., and from 1975 until 1990 as a clinical social worker at the Wabash Valley Hospital Mental Health Center in West Lafayette, Ind.

Failing health prompted Father Fosselman to take up residence at Holy Cross House, Notre Dame, in 1991. As long as his health permitted, he served as auxiliary chaplain at Grissom Air Force Base, Peru, Ind. Even in his last days, Father Fosselman was a familiar and loved member of Holy Cross House where he resided. Always a friendly greeting and a sense of humor made his friendship endearing. He will be remembered standing in front of the new Holy Cross House keeping track of all who came to visit for one reason or another.

Father Fosselman is survived by his brother, Rev. Robert Fosselman, and his sister, Beatrice Cox, both of Monticello, Ind., and by his nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held at 3:30 p.m. today, June 14, in the Chapel of Moreau Seminary, Notre Dame, with a wake service at 7:30 p.m. The Funeral Mass of Resurrection will be at 1 p.m. on Thursday, June 15, in the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, Notre Dame. Burial will follow the funeral liturgy in the Community Cemetery at Notre Dame. The Kaniewski Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.