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Remembering Brother Pat Hogan (1936 - 20117)

June 19, 2017

Dear Friends of the Fu Jen Community,

It is with mixed emotions that I provide you with the latest update on Brother Pat Hogan, SVD. Many of you may have already learned of his passing on June 5, 2017 in Techny, IL. The funeral service and a special mass took place on June 15th and 16th at the Devine Word Residence where he passed away. I was told there were many Chinese at the funeral, and a group of them sang a Chinese hymn during the public service, but I do not know how many of them were connected to Fu Jen.

From one of his dear friends, I learned that Brother Hogan, while a young Brother still in temporary vows and with only a high school education, was sent to Taiwan to support the newly reestablished Fu Jen. His assignment was to be an assistant to the university’s finance treasurer, Father Bernie Doyle. With barely any previous experiences in finance, Brother Hogan quickly navigated his way around the office. Everything dramatically changed for Brother Hogan when Fr. Doyle suddenly returned to the States where he soon died of cancer.

All of the work and responsibility of overseeing the finance office of the SVD section of the university and of bringing the scientific equipment of the various departments of the College of Science into the country fell on young Brother Hogan. It was Brother Hogan’s personal charisma that won over many of the “customs” problems associated with import taxes levied on the equipment. In time, Brother Hogan’s superiors began to recognize his many talents. He was sent to study at Seton Hall University and Georgetown University, where he eventually completed his master’s degree in Linguistics. Thereafter, Brother Hogan returned to Fu Jen to teach.

For all of us who knew Brother Hogan, we were truly blessed. His effervescent personality made him a friend to everyone he met, and his deep-seated love for the Chinese people and their culture helped him become immersed in the Chinese way of life. He was proud to have lived in Taiwan, taught at Fu Jen, and to have spent so many years among us. I think you will agree that kindness and empathy were essential traits in Brother Hogan’s life that made an impact on our lives as well.

Just a few days before he passed away, Brother Hogan wrote me to express his deep appreciation for our efforts in recognizing his dedication to Fu Jen through a special plaque on the new hospital’s Skybridge. I’m glad to report that as of today, we have received cash donations and pledges in the amount of $32,000 towards our goal of $50,000.

I would like to extend my most heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has contributed to this project. For those of you who are planning to give, there is no better way to commemorate Brother Hogan’s life and legacy than awarding him a permanent mark on the Fu Jen campus.

Sincerely,
Susan Chao