Rev. Leonard Banas, professor emeritus at the University of Notre Dame, died Aug. 22, 2018, at the age of 91.

He graduated from Notre Dame in 1949 with a degree in philosophy and went to Rome, where he studied theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University and received a licentiate in 1953. He had been ordained in Rome in 1952. After another year of studies at the University of Rome, he taught at two seminaries before coming to Princeton, where he earned a master’s degree in classics in 1962.

Father Banas was then assigned to Notre Dame, while also teaching at two seminaries. Continuing with religious assignment at Notre Dame in 1973, he taught at the university from 1973 to 1980 and was chair of the classical languages department. He also served as assistant dean in the College of Arts and Letters.

His assignments at Notre Dame included positions at St. Joseph, Pangborn, and Corby Halls until 2012. He also assisted for more than 25 years at St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Elkhart, Ind.

Father Banas is survived by two sisters.

Graduate memorials are prepared by the APGA.

Graduate Class of 1962