In Memoriam: RIP Brother Stanislaus Sobczyk, FSC

The Saint Mary’s College community is deeply saddened by the loss of Brother Stanislaus Sobczyk, FSC. Affectionately known by many as Brother Stan, the beloved Christian Brother passed away peacefully on Monday evening, July 22, 2019, surrounded by the Brothers in his community at Mont La Salle, in Napa. He was 74-years-old.

In a campus announcement President James Donahue said “Brother Stan was a gracious man and a gentle soul who touched so many in his years as a Christian Brother. I shall remember Stan as a trusted colleague and friend who had enormous insights into the dynamics of whatever groups or issues were presenting challenges at any given time. He was a mentor to me both in his role as the president of the School of Applied Theology at the GTU in Berkeley, and in his role as a member of the SMC Board of Trustees.”

A distinguished Lasallian educator and administrative leader, Brother Stan served as president of the School of Applied Theology (SAT Sabbatical Program) in Oakland from 2008 to 2010. His executive leadership including serving as the 20th president of Christian Brothers University in Memphis from 1999 to 2005. He also served as CBU’s interim president from 1993-94.

In 2005 he assumed the position of interim vice president for advancement at Saint Mary’s, where he had previously served as a professor of education and assistant to the president from 1994 to 1998, and as professor and coordinator of Catholic Education and Outreach Programs for the School of Education from 1990 to 1993.

Brother Stan had been a De La Salle Christian Brother since 1963, and taught students from elementary school through the doctoral level. He served on the Justin-Siena High School Board, Napa, and was a trustee at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, De La Salle School at Blessed Sacrament, Memphis, TN, and most recently for Saint Mary’s College of California. He was knighted in 2000 by the Knights of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem.

Brother Stan received a bachelor's degree in philosophy and theology from Christian Brothers University in 1966, a master's degree in geography from St. Louis University in 1972, a master's degree in educational administration from the University of Memphis in 1975, and a doctorate in educational administration from the University of San Francisco in 1986.

A Funeral Mass for Brother Stan will be celebrated on Saturday, August 3, 2019 at Mont La Salle, 4405 Redwood Road, Napa, CA 94558. The viewing will begin at 10 a.m. followed by the Funeral Mass at 11 a.m.

In Nebraska, Visitation/viewing will begin on August 9th at 5:00pm, with a prayer service at 6:30pm, at Bethany Funeral Home, 8201 Harrison Street, La Vista, NE 68128. The funeral will be held on Saturday, August 10th  at 11:00am at St Columbkille Church, 200 East 6th Street, Papillion, NE 68046, followed by burial at St. John’s Cemetery, 7506 S. 36th Street, Bellevue, NE 68147, near his parents and other family members.