Conrad T. Rebmann

Br. Conrad (Thomas) Rebmann, OFM, a Franciscan friar who founded an acclaimed community outreach program at Roger Bacon High School, died Monday, March 12, at the age of 93. One of the first such service programs at a Catholic school, it was widely imitated. Born Oct. 21, 1924, in New York City, Thomas Rebmann was the son of Frank and Mary (Kane) Rebmann. After completing his secondary education at Cathedral College-Prep in New York City, he entered the Franciscan Order in 1944 and professed solemn vows in 1951. In his early life as a friar Br. Conrad was a skilled tailor and vestment-maker at Duns Scotus Friary in Southfield, Mich., Holy Family Friary in Oldenburg, Ind., and St. Anthony Friary in Cincinnati, Ohio. After his transfer to St. Joseph's Brothers' School in 1958, Br. Conrad became more involved in the recruiting and training of future Franciscans. Starting in 1962, he served on vocation and formation teams for the friars in Ohio, Michigan and Indiana. But his favorite ministry was as Community Services Coordinator at Roger Bacon, where he spent 12 years building a program that included "Bacon Buddies", through which students broadened the horizons and brightened the lives of inner-city children. Their work was recognized by President George H.W. Bush in 1992, and Br. Conrad received the Joseph A. Kneip Distinguished Faculty/Staff Service Award from Roger Bacon when he retired to St. Clement Friary in 1998. He moved to St. Margaret Hall in 2013 after his health declined. Br. Conrad was preceded in death by his parents, and his only sister, Frances McInerney of Astoria, N.Y. The body of Conrad Rebmann will be received at 6 p.m. Thursday, March 15, at St. Clement Church in St. Bernard. The Mass of Christian Burial follows at 7 p.m. Interment will take place at 10 a.m. on Friday, March 16, at St. Mary Cemetery in St. Bernard.