Dear Members of the University Community,
I am saddened to inform you of the passing Rev. G. Donald Pantle, S.J. He died on August 28 in the Jesuit Community at St. Joseph’s University in Merion Station, Pa. He was 89.
A native of Scranton, Father Pantle called his time at the University “a special grace from God,” yet it was he that served the University with grace for 34 years.
Father Pantle began his service to the University community in 1980. During his time here, he led retreats at Chapman Lake for nearly 25 years and taught German and Spanish in the World Languages and Cultures Department. He also served as a director of Fayette House, a residence that for many years was designated for students interested in learning Spanish in order to aid them in their careers. He led numerous student trips abroad in addition to his service as co-moderator of the International Students Club, and chaplain to the Women of the University Prayer Group and the baseball, basketball and soccer teams.
In recognition of his support and “ministry of presence,” Father Pantle received the Beining Award from the University’s Athletics Department. In 1998, the Scranton Jesuit Community established the Rev. G. Donald Pantle, S.J. Scholarship at the University. In 2010, the University named its garden at the corner of Linden Street and Monroe Avenue, “The Rev. G. Donald Pantle, S.J., Rose Garden” and placed a bust in the garden to honor his service to the institution.
Father Pantle retired from the University in 2014 to St. Claude la Colombiere Jesuit Community Residence in Maryland.
Father Pantle attended the University for two years following his graduation from Scranton Central High School. He entered the Society of Jesus in 1948 and was ordained a priest in 1960. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Bellarmine College and a master’s degree from Middlebury College/Mainz University. He furthered his studies at Woodstock College, Georgetown University, Goethe-Instiutu (in Germany), American University and Berkeley College.
Visitation will be on Saturday, September 2, 2017 at Nativity of Our Lord Church, 633 Orchard Street, Scranton, PA, 18505 from 9:30 a.m. until 10:45 a.m.; Funeral Mass immediately following at 11:00 a.m. Immediately after the Mass, relatives and friends are invited to a reception in the McShane Executive Center on the 5th Floor of Brennan Hall, Madison Avenue. Private interment at the Jesuit Cemetery, Wernersville, Pa., at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, kindly consider a gift to the “Father Pantle Scholarship,” in care of: University of Scranton Advancement Office, 800 Linden Street, Scranton, PA 18510
You can direct condolences to:
Mary Ann Sacco (sister)
641 Dunedin Road, Apt. E
Portsmouth, VA 23701
Georgia Kijesky (niece)
21706 Tammie Drive
Great Mills, MD 20634
Please remember him in your prayers.
Herbert B. Keller, S.J.
Interim President
