Stagaman, David J. (Father)

Jesuit Father David J. Stagaman died on Aug. 9, 2015, at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Pontiac, Michigan. He was 80 years old.

Fr. Stagaman was born on July 29, 1935, in Cincinnati. He entered the Chicago Province of the Society of Jesus on Aug. 8, 1953, in Milford, Ohio. He was ordained on June 9, 1966 at Bellarmine School of Theology in North Aurora, Illinois, and took final vows on Feb. 2, 1976, at the Jesuit School of Theology at Berkeley (JSTB) in Berkeley, California.

Fr. Stagaman graduated from St. Xavier High School in Cincinnati before entering the Society. As a Jesuit, he earned a bachelor’s degree in Latin and English and a master’s degree in philosophy from Loyola University Chicago. He earned a licentiate in philosophy from West Baden College in West Baden Springs, Indiana. He also earned a Licentiate Degree of Sacred Theology from Bellarmine School of Theology in North Aurora, Illinois, and a Ph.D. in Theology from the Institut Catholique de Paris, in Paris, France.

Fr. Stagaman spent most of his life working in higher education. During regency, he taught mathematics at St. Xavier High School in Cincinnati. After studies, Fr. Stagaman spent 30 years at the Jesuit School of Theology at Berkeley in Berkeley, California. At JSTB, he was an assistant and an associate professor of systematic theology. During General Congregation 32, he was acting rector. He then served as a dean for nine years, the final year also serving as acting president. After a sabbatical, Fr. Stagaman moved to Chicago, where he spent nine years at Loyola University Chicago. He was a professor of theology and chair of the theology department, rector, and academic dean for and acting director of the First Studies Program. In 2011, Fr. Stagaman moved to Colombiere Center in Clarkston, Michigan, to care for his health.