William Topmoeller Obituary

My parents thought very highly of Father "Toppy". He provided a warm smile, great conversation and really helped my father when my mother passed. I spoke with him when my father passed and he was sorry that he couldn't make it to the funeral. I am sure they are all together now and that their reunion was a joyous one.

Fr. Bill was a true blessing to our family. He was my Mom's first cousin and I have so many pleasant memories of him over my lifetime. He came to visit me in Dallas and we bonded over being only children. He gave the most touching eulogy at my Dad's funeral in 1982 and a most entertaining one when he married my husband and I in 1991. I was just thinking about him last week, and how proud he would be that our son Brian is choosing to apply to a Jesuit high school in St. Louis. Fr. Bill was touched so many lives and we will certainly miss him!

I was very happy that I transferred to Father Topmoeller's class. He was a great help to us who had a bit of difficulty absorbing everything from the Latin. He always seemed to have a practical application of a thesis that at first seemed very abstract. May he rest in the arms of the Lord he preached to us so well.

My sympathy to all. He was g "good guy" and a great teacher

What a breath of fresh air when he arrived on the scene at Mundelein Seminary in the mid 1950ties. Cared about us all. May he rest in peace as we left up our prayers for him.
Ron Kalas '59

In the single semester I studied with Fr. Topmoeller, I was deeply impressed with his earnest desire to make theology practical. Indeed, he was the only professor of systematics who constantly stressed this.
On the lighter side, who can forget his description of celebrating Mass at the shrine of St. Anthony of Padua, with the wailing competition of an old woman determined to wake the Saint from death.

"Toppy" as we students nick-named him was a constantly smiling indefatigable theology professor at Mundelein. Realizing latin was not our "lingua franca" and doing everything possible within the strictures he translated his teaching in reams of personally typed notes. An eternal OPTIMIST! May he be with the Lord Jesus Whom he preached by deed and word.

fr. john baldwin '59

The happy face on his obituary notice is what I remember from my early days, teaching at the Seminary in the 60s. He was a gracious, friendly, open-hearted, welcoming person-- a great member of the faculty! God's eternity will surely be the fulfillment of his heart's desires!

The Chicago Province of the Society of Jesus remembers in prayer their brother, Fr. William G. Topmoeller, SJ. The Jesuits extend prayerful gratitude to the family, friends, and benefactors who supported Fr. Don’s inspiring vocation and 68 years of ministry on the journey of faith and service, “Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam.”

I had him as a teacher, when I was a student at Mundelein. I remember him for the many, many pages of notes he gave us. He was a hard worker, & that hard work made it easier for his students, who were provided with notes, instead of having to make their own notes. May he rest now, & one day, may we all join him in that peace which only God can give.

With many happy memories of his first days as a theology professor at St. Mary of the Lake Seminary, I offer my prayers and sympathy to his family and to his Jesuit Community. Gratefully in the Risen Lord.