Rev. Gerard George Steckler S.J.

Fr. Gerard Steckler, SJ, died March 5, 2015 at the Sacred Heart Jesuit Center Infirmary, Los Gatos, CA. He was 87. An outstanding professor of history and a dedicated pastor, Fr. Steckler was noted for enticing his students to excel as well as nourishing and strengthening the faith life of many people. A man of direct words and comments in and out of the classroom, Fr. Steckler also knew how to reach those who were vulnerable and help move them to greater confidence in themselves.

The eldest of five siblings, Gerard George Steckler was born on April 17, 1927, in Minneapolis, MN, to George and Cecilia Steckler. The family soon moved westward through North Dakota and ultimately settled in Yakima, WA. Gerard graduated from Marquette High School there in 1944, and entered the Jesuit Novitiate in Sheridan, OR, in August 1944. He followed the regular course of formation studies and teaching experience; in 1954 he was sent to Louvain, Belgium, for his theological studies. Fr. Steckler was ordained a priest on August 10, 1957, in Louvain, Belgium.

Showing great promise and desire for advanced studies, Fr. Steckler attended the University of Washington and completed a doctorate in history there in 1963. He embarked on a well received career teaching at Seattle University, Gonzaga University, Gannon College (Erie, PA), and Thomas Aquinas College (Santa Paula, CA). Sensing thirty years in the classroom was sufficient, Fr. Steckler shifted his energies to pastoral duties: first as a chaplain to the Benedictine and Franciscan Religious Communities on Shaw Island, WA; then to St. Joseph Church (Dime Box, TX); finally to St. Anthony Church (Waldport, OR) where he spent fifteen delightful years. Declining health brought him to the Regis Community (Spokane) in 2011; there he enjoyed the banter and prayer of his brother Jesuits, weekly games of bridge, and opining on matters of religion and culture. A final move to Los Gatos, CA, was joyfully accepted and accomplished just days before the Lord called him to heaven. He had looked forward to being closer to family and friends living on the west coast.

Fr. Steckler was preceded in death by two siblings: Mel (Truda) and Marilyn (George) Neault. He is survived by his brother Bernie (Joyce) and his sister Joan (Jerry) Marsh. There are several nieces, nephews, and cousins as well. He will be deeply missed by his countless friends, former students, parishioners, and brother Jesuits of the Oregon Province.

A rosary service will be held Friday, March 13, at 7:00pm in the Jesuit House Chapel on the Gonzaga University campus. The funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00am, Saturday, March 14, also in the Jesuit House Chapel. The burial will be at 1:30pm, Saturday, March 14, at Mt. St. Michaels Cemetery. Contributions in honor of Fr. Steckler may be sent to The Senior Fund, c/o The Oregon Province, Society of Jesus, P.O. Box 86010, Portland, OR 97286, or to the charity of the donor’s choice.