Obituaries

OBITUARY | Fr. W. Franz Schorp, SM

Fr. Schorp

A funeral Mass for Father W. Franz Schorp, SM, was celebrated Feb. 27 at Holy Rosary Church in San Antonio, Texas. Father Schorp died Feb. 19 at the age of 91. He was a vowed Marianist for 70 years.

He was born in the small farming and ranching town of Pearsall, Texas, on Dec. 3, 1931, to Francis J. Schorp and Mildred L. (Teal) Schorp, the eldest of three children.

Except for two years of parochial school at Immaculate Heart of Mary, he was educated in public grade and high schools. While attending St. Mary University, he was influenced by Brothers John Hahn and William Fuytinck. While at St. Mary’s, a brother suggested he should try going to the novitiate, which he did in July 1951. On Aug. 15, 1952 he professed his first vows and continued his studies both at Maryhurst in Kirkwood and St. Mary University, graduating with a degree in philosophy and math. He made his perpetual profession in St. Louis on July 13, 1958.

His pre-seminary assignments included teaching high school religion, math, language and science in San Antonio, St. Louis (McBride High School) and Chicago. Seminary studies at Fribourg University culminated in ordination on March 14, 1964. While studying in Europe, he visited the city of Bieringen, his ancestors’ roots, in Germany. Since that time, he continued a special relationship with the people of that city.

Following ordination, he was a teacher and chaplain at Nolan High School in Fort Worth, served on the seminary staff in St. Louis and did three years of doctoral studies while living at Chaminade College Preparatory School in St. Louis.

In 1973, he began a long teaching career in the Philosophy Department at St. Mary University. He continued a lifelong interest in cooking, playing violin and cello, as well as involvement in a variety of manual work and locksmithing. His mechanical skills were coupled with an abiding interest in philosophy.

Father Schorp is survived by his brother, James A. Schorp, also of Pearsall, Texas. Burial was in the Marianist Cemetery.