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Schlatter, Fredric W. (Father)

October 21, 2016

Jesuit Father Fredric W. Schlatter died on Oct. 21, 2016, at the Sacred Heart Jesuit Center Infirmary in Los Gatos, California. He was 90.

Schlatter, Fredric W.

Jesuit Father Fredric W. Schlatter died on Oct. 21, 2016, at the Sacred Heart Jesuit Center Infirmary in Los Gatos, California. He was 90.

Born in Tacoma, Washington, on June 16, 1926, Fr. Schlatter and his younger brother, James, were the two children of Fredrick W. and Genevieve M. (Boyne) Schlatter. Fr. Schlatter graduated from Bellarmine Preparatory in Tacoma and entered the Jesuit novitiate in August 1943 at Sheridan, Oregon. He excelled in the humanities and philosophy, and after his ordination on June 16, 1956 in Spokane, Fr. Schlatter went onto to Princeton University to obtain a doctorate in the classics in 1960.

With this degree in hand, Fr. Schlatter began an era of teaching the classics, first for seven years instructing younger Jesuits in formation for priesthood and for the next 30 years at Gonzaga University where he taught in the classics and history departments. He was named Professor Emeritus in 1997 by Gonzaga University; with this honor he reduced his work and teaching duties but remained available to mentor and guide students and colleagues. Declining health necessitated his transfer to the Jesuit Infirmary in Los Gatos in October 2014; he remained mobile and lively until the very last few days of life.

Fr. Schlatter was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, James. He is survived by his sister-in-law, Milla Schlatter of Tacoma, several nieces and nephews, and cousins.