Fr. Gervase Degenhardt, Pittsburgh, PA
December 28, 1931 - September 27, 2023
Fr. Gervase Degenhardt, OFM Cap., died at St. Augustine Friary in Pittsburgh, PA, on September 27, 2023. He was 91.
One of eight children born to Martin and Pauline (Leiker) Degenhardt, he was born in Antonino, KS, on December 28, 1931. At his baptism he was given the name Francis.
He attended St. Joseph Catholic Elementary School in Hays, KS, and in 1946 began his secondary education at St. Fidelis Seminary in Herman, PA.
On July 13, 1952, he received the Capuchin habit and was given the name Gervase. One year later he professed his first vows as a Capuchin friar. After graduating from St. Fidelis College Seminary in 1955, he began theological studies at Capuchin College in Washington, DC.
Fr. Gervase was ordained to the priesthood on May 24, 1958. After his ordination he pursued further studies at the Catholic University of America, earning an STL in theology in 1960. Subsequently he taught theology at Capuchin College until 1965.
He then returned to St. Fidelis Seminary in Herman, PA, as a professor of theology and vice president of the college. At the same time he attended classes at Carnegie Mellon University, obtaining a master’s degree in English literature in 1968. For the next eleven years he taught courses in theology and English.
In 1979 he received his first assignment in a parish. Fr. Gervase was named parochial vicar of St. Joseph Parish in York, PA.
At the 1986 Provincial Chapter Fr. Gervase was elected Vicar Provincial Minister. He also served as the Secretary of Personnel and Ministries and the Director of Retirement. After his service to the Province, Fr. Gervase was appointed guardian of St. Augustine Friary in Pittsburgh, a post he held for three years.
After a brief sabbatical and taking courses in theology at Duquesne University, Fr. Gervase returned to parish ministry, serving as parochial vicar at St. Augustine Parish. He also was a member of the Clergy Council of the Diocese of Pittsburgh.
In 2002 he was appointed chaplain of the Sisters of St. Francis of Millvale at the Mt. Alvernia Convent. Fr. Gervase was loved by the Sisters and served as their chaplain for fifteen years.
At his request Fr. Gervase relinquished daily pastoral responsibilities at Mt. Alvernia in 2017, becoming a confessor for the Sisters until his retirement at age 87.
Fr. Gervase was a faithful and good friar, zealous priest and devoted chaplain.
He loved the fine arts. Until his final months of life he was able to recite from memory lengthy passages from Shakespeare. He was passionate about literature and classical music.
Fr. Gervase was also a cultivator of Heritage roses and served as an officer and judge of the Pittsburgh Rose Society. He was an American Rose Society certified rosarian consultant. A deep red, miniature rose is named for him, The Fr. Gervase Rose.
Fr. Gervase loved his family and stayed in close contact with them, often taking vacations with them.
Among the friars he will be remembered as a fun-loving friar who also spoke his mind without hesitation. He loved being a Capuchin friar.
Fr. Gervase was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Martin and sisters Viola Sack, Dolores Herrman, and Esther Burghardt. He leaves to mourn his passing three sisters: Verna Schumacher and Joyce Pfeifer of Hays, KS, and Veronica Ditto of Everman, TX, and many nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be on Monday, 02 October 2023, from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m., followed by a wake service in St. Margaret of Cortona Chapel, St. Augustine Friary, 221 36th Street, Pittsburgh, PA. Visitation Tuesday, 03 October, 10 a.m.; Mass of Christian Burial, 10:30 a.m..
Interment will immediately follow at St. Augustine Cemetery, Friars’ Plot, Pittsburgh, PA.
Professional services are provided by D’Alessandro Funeral Home (Pittsburgh).
Memorial donations may be made to the Capuchin Friars of the Province of St. Augustine (220 37th Street, Pittsburgh PA 15201).