Date of death: 7/26/2015
Saint Meinrad Class: O 1971
Jerald Patrick Pat” Minderman died at Methodist Hospital in Memphis, TN on July 26, 2015. Pat was born on September 13, 1945, the first child of Gerald J. Minderman and Mildred M. (Mansell) Minderman in Sullivan, Indiana. Pat is survived by his wife of 43 years, Donetta (Jett), and three sons, Daniel, Ethan and wife Valarie (Bossert), and Jason and wife Ellen (Lenahan), all who live in the Memphis area. In addition, Pat was blessed with two grandchildren, Max, son of Daniel, and Catherine, daughter of Jason. Pat is also survived by two brothers and two sisters, Bill and his wife Jan (Vehslage) of Geneva, IL, Matt and wife Terry (Early) of Bloomington, IN, Ann and her husband George Matthews of Vincennes, IN and Mindy Minderman of Longmont, CO. He is also survived by numerous nephews, nieces and cousins, all of whom knew and loved Pat. Pat was preceded in death by his Father and Mother and a sister, Marie Annette. In addition, four 1st cousins, who grew up with him and were more like brothers, Gregory David Frey, Gerald Stephen Frey, Stephen Douglas Liebermann and David Mansell Liebermann, all preceded him in death.Pat attended elementary school at St. Francis Xavier in Vincennes and following that felt a calling to the Priesthood, attending St. Meinrad Seminary in Saint Meinrad, IN for 8 years, where he graduated high school in 1963 and received a BA in History in 1967. During his first year of Theology, Pat decided to leave the Seminary and completed his Masters in Guidance and Counseling at Indiana State University. Pat began his life long career in counseling others with the students of Vincennes University. He then took a job as a Mental Health Counselor with the State of Indiana and worked at the Samaritan Center of Good Samaritan Hospital in Vincennes. After a few years there, Pat continued his career in counseling by joining CONCERN, a large Employee Assistance Program with Baptist Hospital in Memphis. He was later promoted to be its Director. Following CONCERN, Pat finished his counseling career helping and guiding students enrolling at the University of Memphis with their career and course work decisions. Pat has always been known for his extraordinary dedication to helping his fellow man, not only in his life-long work of counseling but also in his numerous volunteer efforts. Besides being a former member of the Board of Directors of St. Meinrad Seminary, Pat was one of the founders of the Hospice Care program at Good Samaritan and The Spirit of Rendevous in Vincennes. The many programs Pat volunteered his time in the Memphis area included St. Vincent DePaul, Catholic Charities, Meals on Wheels, helping homeless families, and regularly serving at soup kitchens. A deeply spiritual person, Pat was a member of the Lay Cisterians of Gethsemani Abbey in Trappist, KY. Pat loved all sports and was a huge fan of the Memphis Tigers, having held season tickets to both football and basketball. He and his wife Donetta loved to travel and the two had just recently completed a “bucket list” trip to Ireland. Pat will be greatly missed by both family and friends and the world is a better place due to the caring and committed attention Pat gave to his fellow man. Pat was a member of The Church of the Nativity in Bartlett, TN. “