Dr. Donald F. Scholz, 84, Atchison, Kansas died Tuesday, December 20, 2016 at his residence.

Mass of Christian burial will be held Thursday, December 29, 2016 at 10:30 A.M. at St. Benedict’s Church with Rev. Jeremy Heppler, OSB as celebrant.  Inurnment of the cremated remains will follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery.  A parish rosary will be recited on Wednesday, December 28th at 6:00 P.M. at Arensberg-Pruett Funeral Home. Visitation with the family to follow until 7:30 P.M.  Memorial contributions are suggested to Benedictine College and may be left in care of the funeral home. Online condolences may be left at www.arensbergpruett.com.

Donald was born July 31, 1932 in St. Paul, Minnesota the son of Aloysius John Scholz and Margaret Burke.  He received a PH D from Laval University.

He and Anita Vuano were united in marriage in 1958 in Italy.

Dr. Scholz taught at Lewis College in Joliet, Illinois in 1962.  He came to St. Benedict’s College, now Benedictine College, in 1965 and served as a professor until 2003.  During much of that time he was chairman of the Philosophy Department.  He was known as a catalyst for learning and had a deep impact on generations of Ravens.  He continued to teach a course through 2011.He was a member of St. Benedict Parish and served as an usher for many years up to the end.

Doc Scholz, as he was often called by his students, was an extraordinary man who was larger than life and had an indomitable spirit. He inspired his students, colleagues, and friends to think in new and interesting ways and touched the lives of everyone he met. He was often found at the local coffee shop engaged in lively discussion about one esoteric topic or another. He lived his life on his own terms and died in the best possible way, in his easy chair reading one of the thousands of books in his possession. His world was centered around philosophy and his strong faith as a Catholic. He never compromised his principles, and his word was his bond. But mostly, he liked to laugh and make others laugh.He will be sorely missed for years to come, but he will continue to live in our hearts for much longer.

Survivors include his wife, Anita Scholz of Atchison, KS, a daughter, Alba Scholz, Beaverton, OR; a brother, Michael Scholz and a sister, Gretchen Scholz, St. Paul Minnesota.