Fr. John L. Ostdiek, O.F.M., Ph.D. OstdiekJohn@yahoo.com

Friar John L. Ostdiek Order of Friars Minor Father John, the eldest of Henry and Dora Ostdiek's ten children, was born (1922) and raised in Lawrence, Nebraska, during the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl of the 1930's. He entered the Franciscan minor seminary in 1936, the Franciscan novitiate in 1942, and was ordained as a Franciscan priest in 1949. Accepting his offer to be an educator, his Franciscan superiors, asked Fr. John to teach biology, aware of his background as a farm boy and his work in World War II "victory gardens" during seminary years. Prepared by undergraduate studies at Quincy College and Creighton University, followed by graduate studies for both master's and doctorate degrees at Catholic University, Fr. John joined the faculty of Quincy College in 1960. Besides classroom and administrative duties, Fr. John teamed with Professors Al Pogge and George Schneider in a number of ecological research projects, most of which dealt with the Mississippi River and its flood plains. The popular environmental movement begun in the 1970's, gave rise to many lecture invitations and to Fr. John's tenure as Chairman of the Public Work Commission in Quincy. Teaching in a small, private university, a professor must train students to look ahead, to think critically, and be creative - but always with hope. "I tried to teach as if that student would one day be my doctor, dentist, consultant, etc. One is actually my Provincial superior now, Fr. Mike Perry, O.F.M. Another was my bishop in the past. Another my dentist!" Retired from teaching, Fr. John became engaged in the "Ministry of the Word" - giving retreats, parish missions, days of recollection, etc. He took additional courses in theology and scripture, led pilgrimages to the Holy Land, and fills in for priests who need clergy supply. He also has published over 300 articles, mostly on spirituality subjects. Now in retirement at Quincy University's Holy Cross Friary, Fr. John continues his writing. His recreational hobby: bowling in leagues and Senior Olympics.