Submitted by: Dan Rich

Brother Thomas Henning, C.S.C.

Aug. 9, 1925 - March 4, 2003

South Bend Tribune 3/6/2003

Brother Thomas Robert Henning, C.S.C., 77, died after a lengthy illness on Tuesday, March 4, in Dujarie House, Holy Cross Village, Notre Dame, Ind.

Born on Aug. 9, 1925, in Evansville, Ind., Br. Thomas was the son of the late Walter and Mildred Henning. His is survived by his four brothers, Walter, James, William and Wayne, all of Evansville; and by his sister, Dorothy of Avon, Conn.

Br. Thomas attended St. Benedict's Grade School from 1931-39 and the Brothers' Reitz Memorial High School from 1939-43 in Evansville. Graduating from high school, he entered the Army Corps of Engineers where he served until 1946 in the Asiatic-Pacific theater, including New Guinea, N.E. Indies, the Philippines and Japan. From 1946-50 he worked as a printer for The Evansville Courier, also attending Evansville College beginning in 1948. In 1950 he reentered the service in the Korean Conflict, emerging in 1951 as a master sergeant.

In February 1952 he entered the Brothers of Holy Cross at St. Joseph's Novitiate, Rolling Prairie, Ind., professing his first temporary vows a year later and his perpetual vows on Aug. 16, 1956. He completed his college education at St. Edward's University, Austin, Texas, between 1953-55, and was on the faculty of St. Edward's High School at the University in 1954-55.

Assigned to St. Charles Boys Home in Milwaukee, Wis., from 1955-57, he did a year of graduate studies at Cardinal Stritch College, Milwaukee. In 1957 he was transferred to the faculty of Sacred Heart Juniorate, Watertown, Wis., for a year. He then taught at Holy Trinity High School, Chicago, Ill., remaining there until 1970, when for a year he was assistant principal at St. Edward H.S., Lakewood, Ohio, succeeding to the principal's office there, a position he held until 1977, at which time the further responsibly of president of the school was added to his role. He held both positions until 1988.

After taking a sabbatical in 1988-89, Br. Thomas returned to Holy Trinity H.S. in Chicago to become development director. A serious accident impaired his health in 1991, but he remained on the development staff during the 1991-1992 school year, and then sought further treatment at the Brothers' infirmary at Notre Dame.

From 1993-1997 he resided at Columba Hall on the campus of Notre Dame University, and late in 1997 he transferred to the Brother's assisted living facility, Schubert Villa at Notre Dame, where he resided until 2002 when his health prompted a move to the adjacent infirmary, Dujarie House.

Br. Thomas was a popular, outgoing administrator and leader, and many improvements found their way into the schools and offices he influenced. Both his personality and his military training made him a highly organized, self-assured man, confident of his skills, and he projected a positive image of the Brothers of Holy Cross. The accident that prevented his continuing in such roles deprived the community and those it serves of the influence of a very dedicated and effective administrator. Nevertheless, where he resided he took up useful and productive volunteer tasks until only weeks before his death.

Visitation will begin at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 8, in St. Joseph's Chapel, the Brothers' Holy Cross Village at Notre Dame, 54515 State Road 933. A Mass of the Resurrection will follow at 10:30 a.m., with burial immediately afterward at St. Joseph's Cemetery on the village grounds.

The Kaniewski Funeral Home is handling arrangements.