September 18, 2009
Remembering Brother Hugo Stippler
Brother Hugo Stippler accomplished his life goal as he passed from this world to the next. His mission was to be the best person he could be, to help the sick and needy, and to befriend all who came his way. He was a Religious Catholic Brother in the Order of Hospitallers of St. John of God for over 50 years.
Walter A. Stippler was born in 1922 in Evansville, the son of Walter V. and Amelia S. Stippler. He was the third of six children. Walter graduated from St. Anthony School in 1936 and from Memorial High School in 1940. From there he went to an accelerated three-year program at Purdue for a bachelor degree in Mechanical Engineering. He then went to Edwardsville, Ill., working for Shell Oil. He was drafted in the army and sent to Oakridge, Tenn., where he worked until the end of the war.
He then returned to Evansville and became vice-president of the newly begun Stippler Tool and Supply Company. During this period up to 1957, when he entered the religious community, he was well-known to many in the area due to his charity, photographic ability, his friendliness and love of people, his interest in gardening and the arts along with many other interest.
While a volunteer for the Catholic newspaper, he saw the nursing community of St. John of God advertised and he became very interested. He felt called to the Order of the Hospitallers of St. John of God due to the nursing aspects and great reverence for the Founder. He entered the Order in October of 1957, and strove to imitate him in his care of the sick and anyone in need. He was almost 35 years old at the time when he started his new calling.
Although he intended to be a nurse, the community used his services in a leadership capacity all through the years. After his religious training in Ojai, Calif., he went to Brookline, Mass. for one year in field work on the wards of one of their hospitals. Then he was sent back to St. Joseph’s in Ojai to be the Postulant Master for a year. He made his final vows of poverty, chastity, obedience and hospitality in March of 1959. He was appointed as novice master for 12 years at the Novitiate at St. Joseph Health and Retirement Center. Following this assignment, he was the Provincial of the California branch of the community from 1974 to 1986. At that time he worked and resided at St. John of God Hospital and Provincial House in Los Angeles, Ca.
Brother Hugo then became Prior of St. Joseph Health and Retirement Center in Ojai in 1986 and continued through 1992. Continuing in his work in the Order he then became the fund raiser for a new hospital being planned on the St. Joseph grounds. Along with those duties, he daily took care of the sick and needy and was a friend to everyone he met. Brother Hugo started the reach-out philosophy there, inviting the entire community for sharing, meals, therapeutic swimming, and worship in the chapel.
Brother Hugo touched many lives in his journey. Survivors include his brother Arthur, and his four sisters, Ruth Rice, Lillian MacGregor, Bertha Julian and Margaret Ballard.
The funeral was held at the hospital community where he worked and lived, St. Joseph Health and Rehabilitation Center in Ojai. He was buried in Los Angeles.
A memorial Mass and reception, for family and friends, will be held at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Evansville, Saturday, Sept. 19, at 10 a.m.