Brother Leo Scholz, S. M.
BROTHER LEO SCHOLZ, of the province of Saint Louis, died in the service of the Blessed Virgin Mary on July 20, 2001, in San Antonio, Texas, in the 93rd year of his age and the 73rd year of his religious profession.
Leo Francis Scholz was born on September 22, 1908, in Charleston, Missouri, to August Scholz and Anna Halter Scholz. He had one brother and sister. He had a cousin who became a Benedictine priest. After grade school at St. Henry's in Charleston under the tutelage of the Ursuline Sisters, he attended McBride High School in St. Louis. Influenced by Bro. Treadaway, he entered the postulate at Maryhurst in 1927, and professed first vows on August 15, 1928. Brother Leo professed his final vows on August 2, 1932.
Brother Leo began his teaching career in 1930 when he was assigned to Peoria, Illinois, to teach religion, Spanish, science and mathematics. Subsequent teaching assignments were at St. Joseph's in Victoria, Texas (1933-1936, 1938-1940, and 1958-1968); St. Mary's University in San Antonio, Texas (1936-1937); and Central Catholic High School in San Antonio, Texas (1936-1937). In Illinois, Brother Leo taught in Belleville (1937-1938 and 1955-1956) and at Central Catholic/Assumption in East St. Louis (1942-1954). Brother Leo also taught in St. Louis, Missouri, at McBride High School (1954-1955); Chaminade College Prep (1956-1958); and St. Mary's High School (1968-1974).
In 1940 Brother Leo earned a degree in physics from St. Mary's University. He enjoyed working with Scouts and moderating the sodality, student council and science clubs. He also coached football and basketball. Brother Leo's great interest in and ability to operate a ham radio found him moderating radio clubs. Brother Leo was a familiar figure at summer boys' camps for many years. He spent eight years at Camp Chaminade in St. Louis, Missouri, and 21 years at Camp Tecaboca in Mountain Home, Texas. In an article about his camp experiences he wrote, "The good God has given me the gift of helping the young. Last summer at the age of 64, close to 65, I was able to continue my help to the boys. At Tecaboca I usually had the older boys (11 - 12 years of age). At Camp Chaminade I had the 7 - 9 year-old group. May God grant me a few more years in His service in helping the boys."
For three summers in the mid 1960's, Brother Leo studied Spanish in Mexico. His influence on others was noted in a letter from a Marist Brother Director in Mexico, who wrote to the Marianist Provincial after Brother Leo had requested the bill for summer school room and board in 1963, "We really think we have been overpaid by the good example Brother Leo gave us during his coming to the Instituto Mexico....If Brother Leo comes again, we shall again open our doors for him and all the Brothers who might accompany him." In 1998 Brother Leo celebrated his 70th anniversary of his religious profession. Shortly thereafter he received a letter from a former student, age 74, stating, "Your influence is still felt and appreciated after all these years." Health problems and deafness contributed to his retirement. In 1984 he was assigned to the Marianist Residence in San Antonio, Texas.
- St. Louis Provincial Newsletter, Vol. 14, No. 21, August 15, 2001
By permission of the Marianist Province of the United States