Fr. Cletus Bachofer ‘30
Rev. Cletus Shelly Bachofer C.S.C.
Born: 03-22-1913 – Salina, Kansas.
Died: 08-30-1964 – (Age 51) – Rochester Minnesota.
Burial: Holy Cross Cemetery, Notre Dame, Indiana.
Graduate: Sacred Heart High School, Salina, Kansas. 1930.
Graduate: Notre Dame University, Notre Dame, Indiana. 1934.
Ordained Priest: Congregation of The Holy Cross, Notre Dame, Indiana. 06-24-1942.
Graduate: PHD, The University of Chicago, Doctor of Philosophy Division of Biological Science. 06-18-1948.
He joined the University of Notre Dame Facility, 1948 and taught Biology at Notre Dame from 1950 to 1964. He was the head of The Department of Biology at the time of his untimely death.
Fr. Cletus did research at the Argonne National Laboratory in Chicago from 1949 to 1950 for the Atomic Energy Commission.
In 1963 – 1964 Fr. Cletus did research on the effects of radiation at The University of Munich, Germany.
He was an Atomic Research Contractor for the Atomic Energy Commission from 1949 to 1964.
Fr. Bachofer was known for research in the effects of radiation on living cells.
Without doubt his contributions will serve us important bases for the work of those who will follow him in his difficult field. But more, his very life is an appropriate model for the sincere scientist - indeed, for anyone desirous of spending his life in worthwhile fashion. It was Father Bachofer's conviction that his God-given talents were not his alone to enjoy but were intended to be shared with others. Consistent with this conviction were his energetic development und utilization of these gifts which he unselfishly shared with all-those of us who were his colleagues, and those who will one day found their own careers on the basic concepts contributed by his dynamic and inspiring personality.
Excerpt by Brother Raphael Wilson, C.S.C.