Legacy Project
Article by Archivist Br. Lawrence Stewart

May 3rd

Brother Ronan (Norman) Koenigsknecht, C.S.C.

Ronan was born in Fowler, MI, and attended school there. He grew up in a farming family and learned many skills associated with farming, such as carpentry and general maintenance. He joined Holy Cross by entering the postulancy program at Watertown, WI, in 1940. After completing his novitiate, he took night courses in machine shop and woodworking to enhance his skills. He displayed his skills by working at St. Joseph Novitiate in Rolling Prairie, IN, for 3 years and then spent a year at Sacred Heart Juniorate in Watertown, WI, and St. Charles Boys Home in Milwaukee, WI. In 1948 he joined the staff at St. Joseph's Farm in Granger, IN where he served in a variety of roles for 11 years. In 1959, he joined the staff at Columba Hall at Notre Dame where he to displayed a number of talents as maintenance chief for 38 years.

When his health condition changed, he moved to Schubert Villa and Dujarie House in Holy Cross Village in 2001. Ronan was a man of many talents. In spite of a deteriorating arthritic condition, this gifted man continued his quiet, prayerful work without complaint to better his community's life.