Date of death: 3/6/2010
Saint Meinrad Class: O 1971
The Rev. John A. Bach, 67, of Lafayette, died at his residence.Born July 16, 1942, in Chicago, he was the son of the late Arnold and Lillian Bond Bach. He was ordained to the Roman Catholic priesthood in St. Mary Cathedral in Lafayette on May 29, 1971.Father Bach was educated at St. Alphonsus Elementary School and St. Michael Catholic Central High School, both in Chicago. He then earned a degree in philosophy from DePaul University in 1965, his master of divinity from Catholic Theological Union in 1971, his master of science from Purdue University in 1980 and his doctor of ministry from American University in 2003.His assignments included working with the Diocesan Marriage Tribunal; was on the faculty at Central Catholic High School; was pastor of St. Charles Parish in Otterbein; was chaplain of the Monastery of the Precious Blood in Lafayette; and at the time of his death, was chaplain of St. Anthony Healthcare in Lafayette.He was an avid reader and loved to tell jokes. He was a life member of the Fraternal Order of Police, Arman Lodge 49, and was a Fourth Degree member of the Knights of Columbus Council 456, both in Lafayette. He was awarded the Sagamore of the Wabash by Gov. Evan Bayh in 1990 and the Marquis of Lafayette by Mayor Tony Roswarski in 2008.Surviving is a sister, Nancy Back (husband: Jim) of Monticello.Also surviving are a niece, Deborah Casad (husband: Robert); and a nephew, James Back Jr. (wife: Billie); 3 great-nephews and 1 great-niece.In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Lafayette Area Catholic School System.Published in the Lafayette Journal & Courier on March 9, 2010.