Legacy Project
Article by Archivist Br. Lawrence Stewart

July 10th

Brother Walter Irvin Davenport, C.S.C.

Walter was born in Indianapolis, IN, and attended grade school and Cathedral High school in Indianapolis. After graduation, he entered Holy Cross at Watertown, WI, in 1946. He studied at Notre Dame and graduated in 1951. His multi-varied career began as assistant novice director in Rolling Prairie, IN, and then as a faculty member first at Vincentian Institute in Albany, NY, then at St. Edward High School in Lakewood, OH, followed by 4 years at Central Catholic High School in Monroe, MI. After 2 years as assistant superior of Dujarie Hall at Notre Dame, he taught at Gibault School, IN, and was assistant vocation promoter for a year. In 1961 he became the first principal and superior of Holy Cross High School in River Grove, IL, where he served for a total of 15 years on three different occasions. After Vatican II, he returned to Monroe, MI, as principal and superior of the community of Central Catholic High School. Following two years of study at Notre Dame he joined a small community of Brothers and was principal of Holy Family High School in Ashland, KY, for 3 years. He then was principal at Muskegon, Michigan Central Catholic High School, and then became assistant superintendent of high schools in Cleveland, OH, for two years. Walter was a big man with a voice to match; he commanded respect, obedience and the utmost effort from his students and faculty. He had a contagious laugh, easily audible at a distance. Everyone listened when he spoke, often with wit, always with wisdom from long experience and a heartfelt prayer life.