July 9, 2010
Father Clemens Hut, area native, honored by Arizona for volunteer work
Bishop Gerald A. Gettelfinger stands behind Father Clemens Hut on the day he received the Aging Services of America Volunteer of the Year award. A copy of this photo has been framed and now hangs on the wall in Father Hut’s room. Click for a larger version.
By PAUL R. LEINGANG (Message editor)
Father Clemens Hut, a retired priest of the Diocese of Evansville who also served many years in Arizona — where he went for health reasons — has been honored as the Aging Services of Arizona 2010 Volunteer of the Year.
Father Hut, 99, lives at Friendship Village in Tempe, and was honored at the association awards luncheon June 4 in Scottsdale.
“It is highly unusual for any of us to receive a state award for volunteering, but to do it at age 99 is unbelievable,” said Bishop Gerald A. Gettelfinger. “To do it with such joy and candor is remarkable.”
Bishop Gettelfinger was among the well-wishers who attended the luncheon at a resort hotel.
Bishop Gettelfinger described the awards ceremony and Father Hut’s acceptance speech. Father Hut noted briefly that he was a Roman Catholic priest, that he was a priest for 74 years, and that he had reached the age of 99. He recalled that a bishop once joked with him, “You are older than God.” Father Hut then said, “I think I have said enough, so I’ll just shut up.”
Joanne Georgius, administrative assistant at Friendship Village, said Father Hut wheels himself throughout the three floors and garden level of the facility, visits and prays with everyone including the staff.
“He just takes care of us, and we all love him,” Georgius said.
Father Hut was nominated for the state award because of his volunteer service to others at Friendship Village. Donald Reem, another resident of Friendship Village, submitted a letter of nomination for Father Hut’s award.
“I have witnessed the volunteer work of Father Hut for the past six years (three years when my wife was a patient at the Health Center and over three years as a friend), so I have observed many projects that the Father has,” Reem said.
“Although he is 99 years old and confined to a hand driven wheelchair he hasn’t slowed in his routine of helping others. In the morning he is out greeting people with a smile and a ‘good morning’ or ‘hello.’ At meal times he eats with various residents, changing tables in order to meet with more people.”
Reem noted that Father Hut discussed the news of the day with people, and kept up with his Boston Red Sox. He also has a good sense of humor and a schedule for various fitness exercises.
“He is always ready to pray with you if you so desire. He is considered a ‘Man-of God’ who can help for any religious need.
“For those patients who do not have friends or family nearby, he adds comfort and solace every day.
“One of his great daily projects is to minister to the patients in the adjoining Hospice and he freely conducts last-rites for those patients who have no one else.
“He has demonstrated all the attributes and qualities that a great volunteer should have.”
Father Hut was born April 9, 1911, and ordained for what was then the Diocese of Indianapolis on June 2, 1936.
He was assigned as an assistant pastor to parishes in the Indiana cities of Richmond and Vincennes, and as pastor of St. Philip Neri in Bicknell (1945) and St. Agnes in Evansville (1948).
He was granted leave from the diocese, because of health reasons, in 1959, and began his pastoral ministry in the Diocese of Phoenix.
His pastoral assignments included ministry in Phoenix, Safford, Tucson and Mesa, until his retirement in 1976.
Father Hut resides at Friendship Village 2525 East Southern Avenue, Room 224, Tempe, AZ 85282.