Father Albert Driesch, T.O.R.

Father Albert Driesch, T.O.R., 90, died March 6, 2011, at St. Francis Friary in Loretto, Pa. He had served as associate pastor of St. Francis Xavier Parish in Moundsville from 1988 to 2008.

Born in Ambridge, Pa., on Sept. 2, 1920, he was the son of the late August and Priscilla (Arthurs) Driesch. He was also preceded in death by his twin brother William, his brother Carl and his sister Jane Weber. He is survived by his brother James of Surfside Beach, S.C.; his nephew Father David Driesch of the Diocese of Pittsburgh; other family members; friends; and his Franciscan community.

After elementary and secondary education at St. Veronica’s School and High School in Ambridge, Father Albert graduated from St. Francis University in 1943 and from St. Francis Seminary in 1946. Subsequently he pursued graduate studies at Notre Dame University, Montana State College and Pennsylvania State University, majoring in chemistry and specializing in organic reaction mechanisms. He also attended the summer institute at Fort Lewis A&M College in Colorado.

Father Albert began his Franciscan formation in the Province of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus of the Third Order Regular of St. Francis in Loretto in 1938, became a novice at Portiuncula Friary in Washington in 1939 and made his first profession of vows of poverty, chastity and obedience in 1940 into the hands of Very Rev. Eugene George, T.O.R., minister provincial. He made his solemn profession of vows in Loretto in 1943 into the hands of Very Rev. John P.M. Doyle, T.O.R., and he was ordained to the priesthood in 1946 in the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington by Bishop John McNamara.

For most of his life Father Albert was engaged in educational ministry. He taught chemistry at St. Francis Prep School in Loretto from 1943 to 1946 and at St. Francis University from 1951 to 1988. While on the faculty of the university and later as chairman of the Chemistry Department from 1952 to 1985, he was published in the Journal of Organic Chemistry and was a member of the American Chemical Society, Spectoscopy Society of Pittsburgh and Delta Epsilon Sigma. Among his awards, in 1972 he received the St. Francis Faculty Citation and, in 1985, the Distinguished Faculty Award from the St. Francis National Alumni Association. For 18 years he also served as the university’s corporate secretary and assisted in planning the construction of some of the university’s buildings.

After 40 years on the Loretto campus, Father Albert retired from the university in 1988. That same year, he became associate pastor of St. Francis Xavier Parish in Moundsville. His pastoral duties included hospital and prison ministry. He also served on the board of directors and as treasurer of Marshall Family Guardian, Inc., a non-profit agency devoted to providing emergency housing for Marshall County residents and other assistance to the homeless.

In 2008, Father Albert asked to be assigned to Holy Spirit Friary in Steubenville, Ohio so that he could offer sacramental ministry to students and faculty of Franciscan University of Steubenville. In 2009, he asked to be assigned to St. Francis Friary in Loretto.

Friends will be received on the chapel of the St. Francis Friary March 9 from 2 p.m. until the vigil service at 7 p.m. in the chapel. The funeral Mass will be celebrated March 10 at 11 a.m. in the chapel with Very Reverend Christian R. Oravec, T.O.R., minister provincial as the principal concelebrant. Burial rites will be conducted at the cemetery of the Franciscan Friars on the campus of St. Francis University.