Br. Anthony H. Schander, O.S.A. (1930 - 2007)
Br. Anthony H. Schander, O.S.A. entered eternal life March 24, 2007 after a brief illness.
Henry Harold Schander, Jr. was born April 1, 1930 in Harlingen, Texas to Henry Harold and LizzieKate (Lovelace) Schander. A convert to Catholicism, he was Baptized May 25, 1946 at St. Theresa Catholic Church, Shreveport, Louisiana.
He is a 1947 graduate of Fair Park High School, Shreveport. Singer Elvis Presley attended Fair Park while Henry Harold was enrolled there. After graduation, he completed a one-year course in the operation of office machinery at Draughon Business College, Shreveport. One of his classmates would marry Lyndon B. Johnson and become First Lady of the U.S.A., Lady Bird Johnson.
He entered the Augustinian program of formation April 28, 1948 at St. Monica Seminary, Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. He took the religious name Anthony. He was received into the Augustinian Novitiate April 28, 1951. He professed simple (temporary) vows in the Order of St. Augustine April 30, 1952 and solemn (permanent) vows April 30, 1955.
Brother Anthony was assigned in 1952 to St. Rita High School, Chicago, Illinois, where he was Sacristan and did maintenance work. During this time he also studied Nursing at Alexian Brothers Hospital, Chicago. He became a Registered Nurse in 1955.
In 1961 Brother Anthony was assigned to St. Augustine Seminary, Holland, Michigan, as Procurator (Business Manager). In 1962 he was transferred to a similar position at Tolentine College, Olympia Fields, Illinois.
He returned to St. Rita High School, Chicago, in 1962, serving as manager of the school cafeteria. He earned a Certificate in Food Service from the Chicago City Colleges in 1966.
In 1968 Brother Anthony was sent to Lima, Peru to serve as Director of the Augustinian Center House there. He remained in that position for 25 years. Augustinian missionaries ministering in Peru, as well as missionaries from many other religious institutes, experienced Brother Anthony’s hospitality at the Center House. On one occasion, he was kidnaped in Lima by a group of terrorists.
The Diocese of Chulucanas, Peru awarded him the Chasqui medal in recognition of his service to the Church in Peru. This award consists of a gold-colored medal bearing the design of a Chasqui and attached to a red and white ribbon. Red and white are the colors of the Peruvian flag. The award is named after the Inca Chasqui, messengers who would speedily run from one part of the Inca empire to another bearing important communications or news.
Brother Anthony returned to the United States in 1993. He resided at St. Nicholas of Tolentine Monastery, Olympia Fields, serving as Assistant Personnel Director for the Augustinian Province of Our Mother of Good Counsel, and assisting in the offices of the Augustinian Guild.
Brother Anthony is remembered as a hospitable friar who made others feel welcome and valued. He consistently showed concern for others. He was a man of uncomplicated but strong faith.
He is buried in the Augustinian Plot at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Alsip, Illinois.