(Editor's Note: When Fr. Anthony (Severin) Baumann, OFM passed away in January of 2008; Ed Stephan, SAS Class of 1957, and the founder of the alumni yahoo group, wrote a review of his time at SAS, remembering Fr. Severin, his other teachers, and some of his experiences at SAS. It is only fitting and proper that his comments be re-printed here, for only a few short months later, Ed, quite unexpectedly, also passed away. (May 23, 2008). May he, Fr. Severin, and all of our brotherhood who have died, rest in peace.)
Ed's words: "I can think of no collection of men, who in my brief encounter with them, did so much for so many, including me, on so many, many levels, as the Franciscans at St. Anthony's Seminary. I arrived there with a developed interest in science, and Fr. Severin fed that interest. His science and math classes were second to none! Geometry, Biology and Physics were all 'college level' classes. I learned the names of over 100 birds and enjoyed actual 'bird watching!'
The friars taught me three languages, Latin, Spanish and Greek, and a life-long love of languages. I learned to love classic and modern literature, to write poetry, and to participate in declamation and theater on and off the stage.
Though I've never liked athletics (for the simple reason that I wasn't any good at any) they "persuaded" me to play some sports; and to know and admire people who were athletes (and to also know that there were some who didn't take themselves all that seriously).
They gave me a love of, and much knowledge about, paintings, sculpture, architecture, art of every form...and knowledge of the great masters works, (such as El Greco's Adoration of the Shepherds) which To this day this strongly deepens the enjoyment of my trips to Europe, particularly Italy.
They stimulated and fed my love of music, a much wider range than I could have ever encountered, except perhaps at an exclusive conservatory.
They taught me an appreciation and love of nature, gardening, animals, working, and hiking. They painlessly instilled discipline, from our morning silence, daily chores, and weekly laundry duties, to study halls and table manners in the refectory. And, though I have long since left formal church affiliation, they taught me a working spiritual dimension and connection to Christ and to the life of St. Francis which I still appreciate deeply. When traveling throughout Italy I always stop at Assisi, and I gain a renewed sense of spiritual peace there each and every time. THANK YOU friars, one and all. Ed Stephan,'57 "