Brother Urban Lucken, FSC, a Christian Brother who dedicated 76 years of commitment to the Lasallian mission, died Sunday, April 29, at the age of 94.
Brother Urban received his bachelor of arts degree in English from Saint Mary’s College in 1935, and went on to earn his Ph.D. in English from Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. During his career, Brother Urban taught at all seven of the Christian Brother universities, primarily in Memphis; Lockport, Ill.; and Winona.
Upon completion of his doctorate, he returned to Saint Mary’s in 1940 and taught English, French and German until 1946. He returned to teach at Saint Mary’s from 1951 to 1959, during which time he served as chairman of the English department, and again from 1964 to 1967. After spending nine years at Lewis University in Lockport, Ill., he again returned to Saint Mary’s in 1976. One year later, he was named director of alumni programs and special events and organized homecoming, parents’ weekend, Candlelight dinners and graduation. He retired in 1984.
Brother Urban’s thoughtful insights, and inspirational teaching style will be remembered by many. Brother Paul Grass, FSC, said, “We English majors at Saint Mary's College in the 1950s feasted on Brother Urban's courses, including Eighteenth-Century English Literature and Victorian Literature. When he walked into the classroom, a hefty tome or two balanced on his hand, palm up, we knew we were about to experience a master at work, teaching us 'the best that has been thought and said' (Matthew Arnold). Intelligence, wit, and a prodigious memory, combined with a love of opera and of baseball: what better recipe for excellence in teaching and mentoring?”
He is survived by a nephew, Jack Lucken, and a niece, Dianne Garavaglia.
Funeral servicews will be held Wednesday, May 2, in Saint Thomas More Chapel on the Winona campus of Saint Mary’s University. A visitation will begin at 4 p.m. and funeral Mass at 5 p.m., followed by a reception at the Brothers’ residence. Burial will be Thursday, May 3, at Saint Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Winona. |
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