April 30, 2010
Father Clemens Hut
Celebrates ninety-ninth birthday in Arizona
Father Clemens Hut is all smiles during a celebration of his ninety-ninth birthday. Father Hut is a retired priest of the Diocese of Evansville now living in Arizona. Above, he is joined by Deanna Ruston, secretary to Bishop Gerald A. Gettelfinger, and Bishop Tom O’Brien, former bishop of the Diocese of Phoenix. Click for a larger version.
By MARY ANN HUGHES (Message staff writer)
Father Clemens Hut left southern Indiana back in 1959, but his ties to the Diocese of Evansville remain strong.
So when he turned 99 on April 9 of this year, Deanna Ruston was at his side — representing the people of the diocese at the celebration.
She’s the secretary to Bishop Gerald A. Gettelfinger, and of Father Hut she says, “He’s full of love. He doesn’t care who you are — what race, creed or color — he just loves everyone.”
He was born in 1911, the only child of Clemens and Cornelia Hut of Evansville. After studying at St. Meinrad, he was ordained to the priesthood in 1936.
He served in parishes in Richmond, Vincennes, Bicknell and Evansville, before being given leave from the diocese for health reasons.
He moved to Arizona, where he worked in parishes throughout that state, before retiring in 1976. He’s currently living in a retirement center in Tempe.
He remains a priest of this diocese, and when his birthday approached the bishop suggested a surprise birthday visit. Deanna flew to Arizona and was able to surprise him at a birthday luncheon planned by old friends Luis and Josefina Acosta.
“There were about 30 people there, including Mormons who are dear friends of his, Luis and Josefina and their family, and Bishop Tom O’Brien who is the former bishop of Phoenix.
“We talked and told stories about Father Hut,” she said. “Bishop O’Brien spoke first. He said, ‘It’s hard to talk abut a man who is 99 years old and one who is as delightful as Father Hut.’
“He told him, ‘You are about as old as God!’”
At that declaration, “his eyes lit up. He is proud to be 99.”
She added that the priest “has a great admiration for our bishop. When the bishop goes on skiing trips, he always goes to see him.”