Rev. Raymond H. Reis, world's oldest Jesuit, dies
Rev. Raymond H. Reis
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
The Rev. Raymond H. Reis, a longtime professor at St. Louis University and briefly the oldest member of the Jesuit order, died Sunday (July 19, 2009) at Jesuit Hall at the university. He was 104.
Father Reis had been aware for some time that he was the second oldest of all the nearly 20,000 Jesuits worldwide, and the oldest priest in the order. His death came a few days after word arrived from Rome advising of the death of the previous oldest Jesuit, in Mexico.
Father Reis had two careers with the Jesuits. After retiring from teaching, he returned to school to become a registered nurse.
He was born in St. Louis on March 25, 1905, attended Kenrick High School and graduated from Quincy Academy in Quincy, Ill., in 1923.
He joined the Jesuit order at St. Stanislaus Seminary in Florissant in 1926. He returned to St. Louis University and earned a doctorate in biology in 1940.
He taught at Marquette University in Milwaukee and Rockhurst College (now Rockhurst University) in Kansas City and was a visiting researcher at the University of Milan.
He returned to St. Louis University, where he taught biology from 1961 until he retired for the first time in 1973. He then studied nursing at the university and worked as a nurse for the residents of Jesuit Hall until 1992, when he retired again.
He remained active. "I remember getting a couple of flu shots from him after that," recalled the Rev. Michael Harter.
Friends said he took good care of his health and enjoyed raising vegetables. He got up early and helped clean the chapel and made sure that residents had their daily newspapers. He prided himself on being the first in line for dinner.
"He was a very orderly man, and at exactly 5:30, he would walk into dinner," the Rev. Tom Melancon said.
Visitation is from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday at St. Francis Xavier (College) Church, 3628 Lindell Boulevard. The funeral Mass will be celebrated at 7 p.m. at the church. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery.
Among the survivors are nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Jesuits of Missouri Province, 4511 West Pine Boulevard, St. Louis, Mo. 63108.
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