Brother Gebhard Fröhlich, S.J.
Born and raised in Germany, he served in the German Army in Russia during World War II, advancing in rank from Enlisted Man to 2nd Lieutenant at the end of the war. He then worked for the American Officers' Club in Berlin, meanwhile studying Graphic Arts.
After emigrating to the US in 1949, he worked in art and technical-related jobs, advancing to assisting architects with specialty lighting and fountain design projects.
In his late 30s he began to perceive a vocation to the religious life, and he entered the Jesuit Order as a Brother in 1964. After two years of Novitiate, he was assigned to a five year study of sculpture and art history in Vienna, Austria, where he received his academic Diploma. He then began teaching in the Visual Arts Department at Loyola University. His 23-year career included working on his own art projects in photography and Icon painting. He also acted in many Loyola University dramatic productions.
Despite advancing vision problems (Macular Degeneration) he completed a commission for two large Icons of "Ss Francis and Clare of Assisi" with God's help and magnifiers.
After retiring, h e also rekindled his teenage fascination with the Theatre and Opera stage by acting and as a "Super" with the New Orleans Opera Association.
He is now the sacristan for the Loyola Jesuit Community and takes care of many hourse chores.
P.S.: Let's pray that, with God's help, this Bio will get longer yet!
