Br. Anthony H. Schander, O.S.A. (1930 - 2007)
Brother Anthony H. Schander, O.S.A. entered eternal life on March 24, 2007, after a brief illness.
Henry Harold Schander, Jr. was born on April 1, 1930 in Harlingen, Texas to Henry Harold and LizzieKate (Lovelace) Schander. A convert to Catholicism, he was baptized on May 25, 1946 at St. Theresa Catholic Church, Shreveport, Louisiana.
In 1947, Henry Harold graduated from Fair Park High School, Shreveport. Singer Elvis Presley attended Fair Park while he was enrolled there. After graduation, Henry Harold 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.
On April 28, 1948, Henry Harold entered the Augustinian program of formation at St. Monica Seminary, Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. He took the religious name Anthony. He was received into the Augustinian Novitiate on April 28, 1951. He professed simple (temporary) vows in the Order of St. Augustine on April 30, 1952 and solemn (permanent) vows on 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). He was transferred to a similar position in 1962 at Tolentine College, Olympia Fields, Illinois. That same year, he returned to St. Rita High School, Chicago, serving as Manager of the school cafeteria. He earned a Certificate in Food Service from the Chicago City Colleges in 1966.
Brother Anthony was sent to Lima, Peru in 1968 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 kidnapped in Lima by a group of terrorists.
The Diocese of Chulucanas, Peru awarded Brother Anthony 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 is 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.
Returning to the United States in 1993, Brother Anthony resided at St. Nicholas of Tolentine Monastery, Olympia Fields. He served as Assistant Personnel Director for the Augustinian Province of Our Mother of Good Counsel. He also assisted 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.
Brother Anthony is buried in the Augustinian Plot at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Alsip, Illinois.
Memorial gifts may be made to: The Midwest Augustinians, 10161 S Longwood Dr, Chicago, IL 60643-2032 or via our Online Giving Page.
