[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 11]
[Senate]
[Pages 15314-15315]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                REMEMBERING REVEREND LEONARD F. CHROBOT

 Mr. DONNELLY. Mr. President, today I wish to recognize and 
honor the extraordinary service of the Reverend Leonard F. Chrobot. 
Humble, generous, and above all compassionate to those in need, Father 
Chrobot served in the priesthood for 50 years.
  A native of South Bend, IN, Leonard Chrobot stayed in his hometown to 
attend St. Mary's College. He went on to attend Saints Cyril and 
Methodious Seminary in Orchard Lake, MI, and was ordained to the 
priesthood in 1964. In subsequent years, Father Chrobot earned a 
Master's Degree in American Literature from Purdue University and a 
Doctorate from Wayne State University.
  Father Chrobot served in various academic and pastoral positions 
during his life, including Academic Dean and President of St. Mary's 
College and Adjunct Professor and Coordinator of the American Polish 
Research Fellowship Program at the University of Notre Dame. He also 
served as Pastor of Our Lady of the Lake Parish in Culver, IN, and St. 
Adalbert Parish and St. Hedwig Parishes in South Bend. Father Chrobot 
was known for his ability to bring people together, regardless of their 
religious and ethnic backgrounds or their political views. ``He was a 
kind, soft-spoken man who didn't like to see arguments, rather 
encouraging people to `pray about it,''' recounted Rosanne Benassi, 
office manager for St. Hedwig's Parish.
  Father Chrobot passed away on Tuesday, September 9, 2014. He is 
survived and deeply missed by his sister Joan Webber and brother-in-law 
Charles, brother Hank Chrobot, several nieces and nephews, the St. 
Mary's College family, the University of Notre Dame family, the Diocese 
of Fort Wayne-South Bend, his parishioners, and Hoosiers across the 
State.
  Father Len, as he was affectionately known, loved his work and 
dedicated his life to the service of his fellow citizens. Although he 
would not have considered himself a hero, Father Chrobot demonstrated 
his character daily by conducting himself with compassion, honor, and 
integrity. Thus, he was a true American hero--in his everyday life as 
an educator, minister, religious consul, and friend to so many. Let us 
always treasure the memory of this great man and honor him for his 
selfless commitment to serving his fellow

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citizens. May God welcome him home and give comfort to his family and 
friends.

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