Father Frederic Schindler, O.S.B., senior member of Mount Michael Abbey, died peacefully on April 3, strengthened by the sacraments and the support and prayers of his fellow monks, family members and friends. He had been ill for several months with cancer.
     He was born in the Sandhills area around Ewing, Nebraska on March 25, 1921, and later grew up in Elgin, Nebraska. His parents were Fred and Lucy (Tagel) Schindler.
     In 1938, after attending local grade schools, Father Frederic decided to attend Conception Seminary in Missouri to pursue priesthood studies. In 1940, he joined the Benedictine community as a novice and professed simple vows on September 1, 1941. After his final profession, he was ordained to the priesthood on December 19, 1945. His various assignments at Conception Abbey included being a teacher in the high school there, three years at the Indian mission in Fort Yates, North Dakota, chaplain at Clyde Convent for nine years, and novice and cleric master at Conception Abbey from 1962 – 1964.
     In 1964, Father Frederic transferred to Mount Michael Abbey where he continued as a teacher of Latin and German in the high school. Over the years, Father Frederic also spent countless hours growing trees, shrubs and beautiful lawns that adorn Mount Michael today.
     Father Frederic was also director of the Benedictine Oblates of Mount Michael Abbey. The Oblates monthly served an evening meal for the homeless at the Francis House in Omaha. Father Frederic helped prepare and serve it.
     A deeply spiritual person, Father Frederic was confessor to the Poor Clare Convent and also Notre Dame Convent in Omaha. He was blessed with a natural bent toward simplicity of spirit. A quiet, gentle and unassuming person, he was a mainstay in the community life at Mount Michael Abbey. - Father Richard Thell, O.S.B.