Barb and Bernie Weber ‘67
Like many Johnnies of his era, Bernie Weber ’67 (Saint John’s Prep ’63) became a boarding student at Saint John’s Preparatory School with aspirations of becoming a priest.
He grew up in Pasadena, Calif., and Washington, D.C., and his family lived in Florida for a year before he followed his father, Joseph ’29, a seven-year Johnnie (three years at the Prep School and four years at the University) to Saint John’s.
The economics major’s dream to be a priest changed. “Yeah, I wasn’t that great of a student,” he said with a smile. “That priesthood thing didn’t work out.”
But Bernie said he had a wonderful experience at the Prep School and University. He went on to a successful and enjoyable career as a broker.
“People who have not spent significant time on these campuses have a hard time understanding my passion for these places,” he said. “These communities transformed me. They swallowed me up.
“I discovered who I was and what I valued. They made me what and who I am today. I have a hard time putting into words how proud I am of my Saint John’s experiences, and my very best lifelong friends are Johnnies.”
Bernie said Elmer Kohorst, a coach at the Prep School (and later head baseball coach at the University) was a great mentor for him (“He believed in me and always seemed to bring out the best in me”). He also was mentored by Fr. Arnold Weber, Fr. Otto’s brother (“Fr. Arnold was a very close friend”).
“My Dad was a true Johnnie as well,” Bernie said. “He had such a passion for Saint John’s, Saint John’s Prep and Saint Benedict. He was close to many of the Benedictines. Despite growing up out-of-state, my eight siblings and I grew up with these places. Choosing a college was an easy decision for us all.”
Bernie’s daughters Natalie ’99 and Gretchen ’01 are Saint Ben’s graduates. Gretchen was an NCAA Division III All-American swimmer and is a member of the CSB Athletic Hall of Fame.
His son Marty was named after the great Benedictine economist Fr. Martin Schirber. “That’s how influential Fr. Martin was to me as a friend, Benedictine and professor,” Bernie said.
Bernie’s aunt Marie (his father’s only sister) was the legendary Benedictine S. Aloysius Weber. “She was special,” Bernie said. She was a nun for 75 years and spent much of her tenure as prioress at the Benedictine Monastery in The Bahamas. The Weber family’s donation to CSB dedicated the recent Admission waiting-room area in the renovated Schumacher building to S. Aloysius.
Bernie’s sister, Jeannie Weber, was a Benedictine nun for 13 years. She taught at Rocori High School in Cold Spring and finished up at St. Cloud Cathedral High School.
Bernie’s eight siblings (six brothers and two sisters) all attended CSB and SJU. His brother Steve became a Benedictine priest, Fr. Karl, who earned a doctorate in statistics from the University of Wisconsin. Five of the nine Weber’s earned CSB or SJU degrees.
Bernie has stayed connected to these communities. He has served on the SJU Alumni Board. He regularly attends Johnnie athletic events and he and his wife, Barb (who retired as an elementary school teacher), missed only two Johnnie basketball games last winter. He is one of the leaders for the monthly Men’s Luncheon, bringing Twin Cities alums together for a lunch with guest speakers in St. Louis Park each month.
He has also worked with the CSB/SJU Admission Offices to help recruit future Bennies and Johnnies. “With my passion for CSB and SJU,” he said, “we don’t lose the students I work to recruit.”
Not only do Bernie and Barb give of their time, they also give of their treasure. The Weber’s give to the CSB and SJU Student Funds, the J-Club, and have provided campaign gifts on each campus. They give to Saint John’s Prep School and to the Monastic communities, as well as to the SJU School of Theology. And, they are currently discussing their estate plans.
Why do they give? “Because we owe these places,” Bernie said. “Barb and I believe in donating to places we believe in, and Saint John’s University, Saint John’s Preparatory School and the College of Saint Benedict are these types of places. These are places that have been deeply influential in our lives.”