Legacy Project
Article by Archivist Br. Lawrence Stewart

December 30th

Brother Robert James Siegel, C.S.C.

Robert was born in Sheboygan, WI and attended elementary and high schools there. He completed his B.S. degree in 1951 at the University of Wisconsin-Miwaukee. An accomplished musician, he studied to direct instrumental and choral work. He entered Holy Cross in 1951 at Watertown, WI. His first assignment was to Central Catholic High School in South Bend, IN, and then he spent 5 years in Catholic Central High School in Monroe, MI, enhancing the music curriculum. In 1958 he was named to the faculty at St. Edward High School in Lakewood, OH, where he spent 13 years serving as Principal for the last 4 years. In 1971 he was appointed director of scholastics at Holy Cross Junior College, South Bend, IN, and joined the faculty. In 1973 he became vice principal at St. Joseph High School in South Bend for a 4 year term. he taught for 4 years at Hoban High in Akron, OH, and in 1982 was named President there for 2 years. In 1985 he spent 2 years on the staff of the Holy Cross Sisters' program in Tiberias, Israel. He came back in 1987 to serve as editor of the Brothers magazine and became superior of Columba Hall, Notre Dame, in 1988 for 3 years. He was asked, in 1991, to serve as Assistant Provincial. He suffered a serious stroke in 1993 and became a resident at Dujarie House, Holy Cross Village, Notre Dame. Robert was a man of many talents, a trusted counselor, with a sharp mind and generous spirit. He was always fascinated by circuses since they used to spend summers near his home town. Confined to a wheelchair for the last 10 years of his life was limiting, but Robert probably made plans to ensure music and circuses would be part of heaven.