Submitted by: Dan Rich

Br. Paul H. Loos CSC

May 5, 1921 - April 16, 2005

South Bend Tribune 4/19/2005

Brother Paul H. Loos, CSC, 83, died at Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center, South Bend, April 16, 2005. He was born in Jackson, Mo., on May 5, 1921, to Henry and Mary (Koehler) Loos. Br. Paul attended public schools in Jackson, graduating from high school in 1939. He graduated from Southwest Missouri State University in 1943 with a degree in commerce. After serving in the Army Air Corps as a gunner on the B-17 bomber during World War II, he worked in sales and management for various firms and a family business back home before joining Holy Cross in February 1960.

The next year he went to the Novitiate but had to withdraw and return home due to illness and death in his family. Br. Paul returned to Holy Cross two years later. He received the habit as a Holy Cross Brother at Sacred Heart Novitiate in Jordan, MN, on August 15, 1962, and made first vows one year and one day later. He jokingly referred to his return to the Novitiate a second time by declaring, "I liked Jordan, MN, so well that I returned for seconds!" He made final vows on May 5, 1969. His first assignment was to assist at Holy Cross Mission House for one year. In 1964 he moved to the University of Portland where he managed the University Bookstore and was popular with students, faculty and staff. In 1976 he came back to Notre Dame and assisted with retreats at the Fatima Retreat House. The next year he was assistant superior for the Candidate Program at Saint Joseph Hall and then Old College. From 1983 until 1997, Br. Paul added laughter and life to the parish community of Christ the King, South Bend. Wherever Paul was assigned he brought laughter and life.

Throughout the latter half of his life Br. Paul was plagued by knee problems and needed numerous surgeries to keep him ambulatory. In 1997 his worsening condition made it necessary for him to move to Holy Cross House where he could use a walker and an elevator to make his life easier. He lived there until he died a few weeks short of his 84th birthday. These few paragraphs on Br. Paul's life do poor justice to his generous heart, lively laugh and beaming smile. His goodness and kindness was a treasure to those whom he met. He was such a "favorite uncle" to his family that they started a scholarship at Notre Dame in his honor. Br. Paul was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers and four sisters. He is survived by several nieces and nephews.

A wake service will be held for Br. Paul in the chapel of Moreau Seminary, Notre Dame, Indiana, on Wednesday, April 20, at 7:30 p.m. The funeral Mass will be celebrated at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, Notre Dame, on Thursday, April 21, at 3:30 p.m. Burial will follow at the Community Cemetery, Notre Dame. The Kaniewski Funeral Home in South Bend, Indiana, is in charge of arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Brother Paul Loos Memorial Scholarship at the University of Notre Dame.