In Memoriam

We give thanks for the following Jesuits who have gone home to God.

Fr. Michael R. Kolb, SJ
April 20, 1952 – March 8, 2023

“Mike was both bright and creative. He was an excellent writer and used his skills well, especially when writing about other cultures or his travel experiences.”

English professor at Sogang University in Seoul, South Korea; teacher (theology and drama), student counselor and dean of students at Marquette University High School; author of the book Praying with Jesuit Saints and Blessed, which was published by the Kohima Region and later republished by the Midwest Province for the Ignatian Year in 2022; missioned to St. Camillus Jesuit Community in Wauwatosa, Wis.

Fr. Thomas D. Stegman, SJ
January 7, 1963 – April 8, 2023

“Tom Stegman was a truly wonderful man and friend. He was an admirable Jesuit, priest and scholar. He had a great capacity for friendship and a transparent faith in God.”

English and religion teacher at Creighton Preparatory School; professor of New Testament at Weston School of Theology; professor of New Testament at Boston College School of Theology and Ministry (BCSTM), and later dean of the school; missioned to Campion Center in Weston, Mass., to care for his health. Respected Scripture scholar; elected to represent the Wisconsin Province at the 2012 Procurators Congregation in Nairobi and the 36th General Congregation in Rome in 2016.

Fr. Francis E. Canfield, SJ
February 1, 1936 – May 6, 2023

“Frank was a devoted Jesuit and priest. He always had an easy smile and offered words of encouragement to everyone he encountered.”

Teacher (Latin, psychology, theology), student counselor and principal at University of Detroit Jesuit High School and Academy; student counselor and teacher at St. John’s Jesuit High School in Toledo, Ohio; superior of the Toledo Jesuit community; chaplain at St. Ignatius High School in Cleveland; missioned to Colombiere Center Jesuit Community in Clarkston, Mich.

Fr. Keith J. Esenther, SJ
November 18, 1940 – June 3, 2023

“Keith was a man of prayer whose homilies reflected his relationship with Jesus. He loved celebrating the sacrament of reconciliation and was a skilled confessor.”

English teacher at St. Xavier High School, Xavier University in Cincinnati, Loyola Academy in Wilmette, Ill., the Jesuit philosophate in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, and Arrupe College in Harare, Zimbabwe; principal of Saint Ignatius College Prep in Chicago; coordinator of secondary education for then-Chicago Province; chaplain of at Loyola University Chicago (LUC) School of Law School and Water Tower campus; director of LUC Jesuit Collegian Program; assistant director of LUC university ministry; minister of LUC Jesuit community; treasurer of LUC Jesuit community; ESL instructor at LUC St. Joseph Seminary; staff member of the Jesuit Mission Office in Wimbledon, United Kingdom; dean and teacher of philosophy and theology at St. Paul’s Major Seminary in Bussere, Sudan (now South Sudan); staff member of Loyola House Jesuit Novitiate in Berkley, Mich.; socius to Chicago Provincial Fr. Bob Wild, SJ, and Detroit Provincial Fr. John Libens, SJ; assistant to Midwest Province socius; missioned to Colombiere Center in Clarkston, Mich., to care for his health.