Submitted by: Dan Rich
Br. Walter Irvin Davenport, CSC
Dec. 29, 1928 - July 10, 2004
South Bend Tribune 7/10/2004
Br. Walter Irvin Davenport, CSC, 75, died after a long illness on Saturday, July 10, at Dujarie House, Notre Dame, Ind. Br. Walter was born on Dec. 29, 1928, in Indianapolis, Ind., the son of the late Walter I. and Lydia May Davenport. He had three sisters, Mary Elizabeth and Mary Virginia, both of whom are deceased, and Jean, who survives. Br. Walter attended St. Philip Neri grade school in Indianapolis and then the brothers' Cathedral High School in the same city, graduating in 1946.
He entered the Brothers of Holy Cross at their aspirancy in Watertown, Wis., in September 1946. He received the religious habit and began his novitiate year on Feb. 1, 1947, in Rolling Prairie, Ind. He pronounced his first temporary vows on Feb. 2, 1948, and was assigned to study at the University of Notre Dame in Indiana, from which he graduated in 1951, the year he took his perpetual vows. From February until August 1951, Br. Walter served as Assistant Novice Director at the brothers' novitiate in Rolling Prairie. He then joined the faculty at Vincentian Institute in Albany, N.Y. In 1952 he was assigned to the new St. Edward High School, Lakewood, Ohio, then in 1953 he transferred to Catholic Central High School, Monroe, Mich., teaching there until 1957.
It was in that year he was named Assistant Superior of Dujarie Scholasticate, the brothers' center for studies at Notre Dame, a post he held for two years. In 1959 he taught and prefected at Fr. Gibault School for Boys in Terre Haute, Ind. He moved in 1960 back to Dujarie Hall, this time as assistant to the Vocation Promoter for the Midwest Province. In the fall of 1961 he became the first principal and superior at Holy Cross High School, River Grove, Ill. In 1966 he returned to Indiana to serve as principal of the academic program at Fr. Gibault School in Terre Haute. In 1967 he was back in River Grove as principal at Holy Cross H.S. until 1971 when he took on the same role at Catholic Central H.S. in Monroe. From 1977 to 1979 he studied theology at Notre Dame, returning then to Monroe for a three-year term as assistant superior and faculty member.
In 1982 Br. Walter became principal of the diocesan Holy Family High School, Ashland, Ky., and as local superior of the brothers on the faculty. In 1985 he spent a year as principal and superior at Muskegon Catholic Central High School, Muskegon, Mich. For the next two years he worked for the diocese of Cleveland as the Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Schools, returning to Holy Cross H.S. in River Grove in 1988 for a six-year term as president. In 1994 he was the director of Self-Study for the Southern Association Accreditation program. From 1995 to 1996 he managed the bookstore at Holy Cross High School in New Orleans, La., agreeing a year later to become the archivist for that historic school. In 1998 he entered into a retirement program at Cathedral Place in Mobile, Ala., to be near family, but in 1999 illness suggested he take up residence in Schubert Villa at the Holy Cross Village, Notre Dame. Then, after nearly a year, he moved to adjacent Dujarie House, the brothers' infirmary, where he remained until his death.
A big man with a voice to match, Br. Walter commanded respect, obedience and the utmost effort from both students and faculty, including the brothers for whom he served as superior wherever he was stationed in an administrative role. At a time in religious life when visible signs of identity were being minimized, Br. Walter continued to wear the full habit of the brothers and to follow, as far as was possible, the traditional Holy Cross daily prayer routine that had evolved so much after the Second Vatican Council. Demanding of himself rigorous discipline, he expected it of others as well. His Prussian-like temperament was inclined to deal with issues immediately and forcefully, but he nevertheless seized opportunities for participation in activities he thoroughly enjoyed such as gardening and taking an interest in farm horses in Monroe. He had an unrestrained, contagious laugh, easily audible even at a distance, as was his high-pitched voice. His ruddy complexion under wavy black hair would grow even more so, stimulated by occasions both pleasant and otherwise. He read a great deal, supplying himself with matter for serious or recreational conversation. Limited in patience -- and knowing it -- he would invariably let his opinion be clearly known, perhaps one not always universally popular, but one that was respected enough to earn him a term on the provincial council and nomination for the office of provincial. Evident were the man's utter sincerity, generosity, availability and unfailingly evident love for the Congregation of Holy Cross. Everyone listened when he spoke, often with wit, always with the wisdom that long experience, heartfelt prayer and continuous openness to God in one's life made so evident.
Visitation will begin at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, July 13, in St. Joseph's Chapel, the brothers' Holy Cross Village at Notre Dame, 54515 State Road 933. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 3 p.m., with interment immediately afterward at St. Joseph's Cemetery on the village grounds. The Kaniewski Funeral Home is handling arrangements.