John Felten Obituary

I studied with John Felten for four years at Xavier. As an HAB, I had him for several classes, but his personality permeated the program. He was a rigorous teacher and demanded hard work from his students. As a missionary in Kenya, I have often said that I could never have learned Swahili without the discipline of learning Latin-- and Fr Felten sharpened my Latin, painfully but effectively. He was a great personality at Xavier, and I think of him often.

Fr. Felten was an unforgettable teacher. I will always remember him stoking his pipe during our tutorials on Plato's Republic, and I thank him for introducing us to Karl Popper and "Freddy" Ayer as well as to Plato and Tacitus.

John Felten was the most inimitably imitated character in our years at Xavier. He not only loved the classics but he loved the whole idea. We tried his patience but we loved him.

He did well.

John Felten was one of the great teachers in my life. In June of 1961, I took his course on the Early Roman Empire. He so motivated me that I went on to obtain a Ph.D. in Greek and Roman history, and spent the last thirty-five years as a professor of ancient history at Appalachian State University. My style of teaching has been based upon Father Felten's. However, I did not do as much walking in front of my student as he did! Thank you John for my life and career.

fr. felten was a warm,understanding man at Xavier U. He always had time to sit down and help students who had a difficult time.

My favorite memories of Fr. Felten were of his singing along with Gilbert and Sullivan recordings and reading poetry. He had a great zest for life which he shared with me during my days at Xavier as a MHA student - l985-85. He is fondly remembered.

The Chicago Province of the Society of Jesus remembers John Felten with affection for his 64 years of service and is grateful to the many friends and benefactors who helped make that service possible.