When students were mysteriously absent from class, generations of alumni can remember receiving personal phone calls during which they were told, “There was a void in my life today.” It was all part of keeping students on their toes. “I enjoy teaching, and I don’t let students get away with sloughing off,” Father Fabian said. “They don’t get away with murder with me.” Along with humorous chastising, Father Fabian is known for his inspirational, often humorous, quotes as well: A sharp tongue and a dull mind are usually found in the same head. The right angle to approach any problem is the “try” angle. Always keep your words nice and sweet. You never know when you’re going to have to eat them. Say what you mean and mean what you say. You’re up a creek without a logical paddle. Liars figure but figures don’t lie. The “Fabianisms” will long live on in the hearts and memories of all those whose lives he has touched. His endless clever words of wisdom can be readily found with a diligent “Google” search. There’s also a YouTube video of him reciting his “Good, Better, Best” mantra. Decades ago, he was also quoted as saying, “Sooner or later I am going to die. But I am not going to retire.” He was true to his words. Although he retired from teaching in 2013, he was named a Lasallian Scholar in Residence and continued to counsel and guide students until shortly before his passing. Every inch of the walls of his office on the third floor of Saint Mary’s Hall have long been covered with photos of those he taught, as well as their growing families. Through the years he kept in close contact with many alumni and friends, annually sending out more than 300 special letters each Christmas. Although he never liked a fuss to be made, he secretly enjoyed the attention, and he was lauded several times for his many years of dedicated service. In 1982, he was honored with the Saint Mary’s Brother Charles Severin Award for Excellence in Teaching; in 2002, he was bestowed Letters of Affiliation by the De La Salle Christian Brothers; and in 2011, he was awarded the Presidential Award for Outstanding Merit at the university’s Chicago Centennial Celebration.
Memorials can be made to the Father Andrew Fabian Endowed Scholarship, Saint Mary’s University, 700 Terrace Heights #21, Winona, MN 55987. Alumni and friends are invited to share memories of Father Fabian on Facebook. Go to @FatherFabian. For his full obituary, go to smumn.edu/fatherfabian.
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