Buchman, John F. (Brother)

Jesuit Brother John F. Buchman died May 30, 2017, in Clarkston, Michigan. He was 83 years old.

Br. Buchman was born on Sept. 10, 1933 in Beech Grove, Indiana. He attended grade school and high school in Indianapolis before entering the Society.  After six months of postulancy, Br. Buchman formally entered the novitiate at Milford on March 15, 1952 at the Milford Novitiate in Milford, Ohio. He took final vows on Feb. 2, 1964 at Milford Novitiate.

Trained by the Society to cook, Br. Buchman fed Jesuits throughout his life.  Beginning in 1951 he cooked for the novices and juniors at Milford.  When missioned in 1965 to the theologate in North Aurora, he cooked for many of these same Jesuits while they studied philosophy and theology at Bellarmine School of Theology in North Aurora, Illinois. During the academic year of 1970-1971, he worked at the Loyola Youth Retreat Center in Milford, Ohio.

In 1971 Br. Buchman returned to his hometown of Indianapolis to work in the recently founded Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School.  He stayed at Brebeuf for almost 40 years in various capacities.  He worked in the business office (1971-1987), the book store and the cafeteria (1972-1995), and assisted members of the administration (1996-2010).  Br. Buchman worked as the administrative assistant to the rector and the house manager (1996-2010).  He also served his community daily — he cooked dinner for his fellow Jesuits from 1985-2010.  Everyone [lay and Jesuit] at Brebeuf knew Br. Buchman; everyone could and would talk with Br. Buchman knowing he would keep whatever was said in confidence. He would often take the worries and concerns of others to prayer. He was the “glue” that held the community [and school] together in thick and thin.  In 2010, Br. Buchman moved to Colombiere Center to care for his health.

Br. Buchman’s wisdom and common sense were sought out by many rectors and superiors.  He served as a house consultor at Brebeuf (1974-1984 and 1987-2010) and at Colombiere Center (2014-2016).  He was a valued province consultant (1987-1989).