Bro. Matthew Thomas Bach, O.S.B., a monk of St. Gregory's Abbey, Shawnee, died suddenly from a stroke on Friday, February 16. He was 63 years old.

Bro. Matthew was born February 18, 1942, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to Dr. Earl and Claire Werle Bach. He was given the name Thomas. He said he was a great-greatgreat-great-great-great-grandson of Johann Sebastian Bach.

He was received as an internal oblate at Holy Cross Abbey, Canon City, Colorado May 3, 1961 where he served many years doing custodial work. On August 15, 1980, he made simple perpetual vows. Later, when the opportunity was provided to brothers, he made Solemn Vows. One of his proud moments at Holy Cross Abbey was September 20, 1989, when he received his high school diploma at the high school operated by Holy Cross.

It was a sad moment for Brother Matthew when Holy Cross Abbey was not able to continue; it began to close its doors in 2004 and the remaining monks sought transfer to a number of other monasteries. Bro. Matthew and his great friend Bro. David Downey came to St. Gregory's Abbey and promised their stability here on September 3, 2004.

At St. Gregory's, Bro. Matthew found many ways to be of service. He helped with the riders and the horses at the Charham Therapeutic Arena. He assisted in the abbey business office and relieved caregivers in the health service of the abbey. He said recently that he really appreciated the experience of community in the abbey and in St. Gregory's University.

He is preceded in death by his parents and his stepmother Lorraine Bach.

Bro. Matthew is survived by the members of the monastic community of St. Gregory's Abbey and the former members of Holy Cross Abbey; sister and brother-in-law, Robert and Judy Allan of Thornton, Colorado; brother, John Bach of Denver; sister and brother-in-law, Christine and Gary Robertson of Murfreesboro, Tennessee; many nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, and grand-nephews.

Vigils of the Office of the Dead for Bro. Matthew will be celebrated 6:45 p.m. on Monday in the St. Gregory's Abbey Church, Shawnee.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 4:00 a.m. Tuesday, February 20, in the Abbey Church with Abbot Lawrence Stasyszen, O.S.B., as the principal celebrant.

Burial will follow in the St. Gregory's Abbey Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the fund for the care of the infirm at St. Gregory's Abbey, 1900 W. MacArthur Drive, Shawnee, Oklahoma 74804.

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