Brother Paul Loos

Brother Paul H. Loos, C.S.C., 83, died Saturday, April 16, 2005, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center in South Bend, Ind.

He was born May 5, 1921, in Jackson, son of Henry and Mary Koehler Loos. He attended public schools in Jackson, graduating from high school in 1939. He graduated from Southeast Missouri State University in 1943 with a degree in commerce.

After serving in the Army Air Corps as a gunner on a B-17 bomber during World War II, he worked with his sister at Ruth's Beauty Shop in Jackson before joining Holy Cross at Notre Dame University in February 1960.

Brother Loos received the habit as a Holy Cross brother at Sacred Heart Novitiate in Jordan, Minn., Aug. 15, 1962. He made first vows one year and one day later, and made final vows May 5, 1969.

His first assignment was to assist at Holy Cross Mission House for a year. In 1964 he moved to the University of Portland-Oregon, 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 St. Joseph Hall and the Old College at Notre Dame. From 1983 to 1997 Brother Paul added laughter and life to the parish community of Christ the King in South Bend.

Wherever Paul was assigned he brought laughter and life. Throughout the latter half of his life Brother 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 Brother 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 University in his honor.

He is survived by two nieces, Vicki McMullen, Mark and Bill Springer of Cape Girardeau; two great-nieces, Susan and Jason Ayers of Cape Girardeau, Kim and Gerald Landewee of Jackson; three great-nephews, Kenny and Joyce Loos, Keith and Bridget Loos of Jackson, and Kevin and Susan Loos of St. Charles, Mo.; and several great-great-nieces and nephews.

Brother Paul was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers and four sisters.

A funeral Mass was held at the Basilica at Notre Dame University. Burial was in Holy Cross Cemetery on the university campus.

Memorials may be made to Brother Paul Loos Memorial Scholarship Fund at Notre Dame University in Notre Dame, Ind., or to Trey Springer Memorial Scholarship Fund, Notre Dame Regional High School in Cape Girardeau.

Announcement courtesy of Ford and Sons Funeral Home.