The Rev. Mark Thamert, professor of modern and classical languages at St. John’s University in Collegeville, Minn., died April 29, 2017, of cancer. He was 66.
Thamert graduated from St. John’s in 1978, majoring in German. He had planned to enter medical school, but after a year in Austria he was introduced to the life of a Benedictine monk and was ordained in 1979.
He taught German at St. John’s Preparatory School (which he had attended) for several years. Then he enrolled at Princeton and earned a Ph.D. in Germanic languages and literature in 1986. Returning to St. John’s University, he taught modern and classical languages from 1984 to 2016.
Thamert also served as director of the honors program and headmaster of St. John’s Prep, was instrumental in obtaining major grants, and directed overseas programs in Europe, India, and Tibet. In 1999, he received the Declaration of Honor in Silver for service to the Republic of Austria for his 30 years of contributions.
In a 2000 interview, Thamert said, “Our work as Benedictine monks centers on support for one another and care for the students, who are part of our lives.” He is survived by four siblings.
Graduate memorials are prepared by the APGA.