Conception Abbey
Conception, Missouri
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Conception Abbey Conception, Missouri |
Tower Topics ~ Summer 2005 |
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Amiable Father Alexander dead at 82
Born of Charles and Pauline Luetkemeyer on November 11, 1923 in Freeburg, Missouri, he was baptized two days later at Holy Family Church and given the name John Eugene. Raised and reared in Freeburg, he graduated from Freeburg High School in 1941. After graduation, he went to St. Louis where he worked in an aircraft factory during World War II. John came to Conception to enter our Seminary College in 1945. In 1947 he entered the novitiate and made his profession of temporary vows on August 31, 1948, when he received the name Alexander. Three years later he made solemn profession and, on completing his theological studies, was ordained a priest on May 14, 1953. It was during this time that his outstanding intellectual abilities were recognized. He first received a Licentiate in Sacred Theology from the pontifical faculty of the University of Ottawa in 1954. He spent the next few years alternating as a professor of history in our seminary and continuing higher studies at St. Louis University where he earned a Ph.D. in History in 1960. His dissertation for the degree was on the life and work of Don Luigi Sturzo and the Christian Democratic Party in Italy. This dissertation is still recognized as the definitive work on that subject. From September 1960 to May 1977, Father Alexander was primarily active in seminary work: professor of history, spiritual director, prefect, dean of the Liberal Arts College, and dean of the School of Theology. During this time, however, he also held other monastic positions such as assistant brother master, cleric and novice master, associate pastor at St. Columba Parish, Conception Junction, and, from 1974 to 1976, Subprior and secretary of the Monastic Chapter. It was during this time that Father Alexander became particularly valued by his confreres, not only because of his intellectual prowess, but also because of his wry sense of humor, his affability, congeniality, and a mild and appealing eccentricity in regard to “things that really matter.” Beginning about 1980 his activity was henceforth to be found primarily in pastoral responsibilities. From 1980 to 1985 he was pastor at St. Paul Parish, Tarkio, Mo., and St. Benedict Parish, Burlington Junction, Mo. Then, for varying lengths of time, he served as pastor of St. Aloysius About this time Father Alexander began to have heart problems which became chronic and which are probably the cause of his sudden death. He returned to the Abbey in May 2003 to take up residence in St. Stephen’s Infirmary. There he spent the rest of his days praying, reading, playing chess with Father Miller, and giving a good example of patience and perseverance to all those around him. His monastic confreres together with his brother and sisters, two of whom are members of the Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, Sisters Bede and Benita, and other relatives of the Luetkemeyer family commend him to your prayers. We welcome your comments: |
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In the early hours before dawn on March 1, 2005, our confrere, Father Alexander Luetkemeyer, died in his room in St. Stephen’s Infirmary at Conception Abbey. His body was discovered by the nurses who regularly called at his room to help him prepare for breakfast. They immediately informed the Abbot and community of his sudden death. He had been living in retirement in the Infirmary since May 2003. He was in declining health but his death was still unexpected.
Parish in Kansas City, in St. Joseph Parish, Springfield, Mo., and, in order to be near his aging mother, as assistant pastor St. Peter Parish and chaplain at St. Mary’s Hospital, Jefferson City, Mo. After this his health began to diminish, but he served for short periods of time as pastor of Blessed Sacrament Parish in Bethany, Mo., and as chaplain to the Franciscan Sisters at Mount Alverno Convent, Savannah, Mo.