P. Theoderich Doppler, Benedictine of Lambach Abbey, retired pastor and school principal, passed away on the 5th of January 2019 at the age of 86 in Lambach.
Johann Leopold Doppler was born on 5 November 1933 in Linz. After completing the required primary schooling, he began high school studies –late due to the war years – in Schlierbach and completed them in Lambach. After graduation, he was admitted to Lambach Monastery, where he received the religious name of Theoderich. After the novitiate, he studied philosophy and theology in Rome and Passau, and in Salzburg, he later completed further pedagogical studies.
On 11 May 1960, P. Theoderich was ordained a priest in Lambach. In the same year, he began his service as a parish priest in Neukirchen near Lambach, a service that he carried out until 2014, also working as a youth counselor in his deanery. From 1997 to 2006, he was dean of the deanery of Gaspoltshofen.
P. Theoderich was already used to serving as a prefect in boarding school during his studies. From 1960, he taught religion at the Stiftsgymnasium, at the boys’ primary school in Lambach, and at the elementary school of Neukirchen. In addition to his pastoral work, he became the first headmaster of the business school of the monastery, an institute founded in 1974 that was expanded in 1987 into a commercial academy. In 1997, he retired from his work at the school.
Additionally, P. Theoderich was responsible for many restoration and building projects. From 1996 to 2018, he served as President of the Society for the Conservation of the Cultural Values of the Lambach Monastery.
P. Theoderich’s greatest interests included travel, history and music. His work was honored many times, including receipt of the honor of the Golden Merit of the State of Upper Austria. He also was made an honorary citizen of the community of Neukirchen and received the ring of honor of the market town of Lambach.
Despite health complaints in recent years, he participated actively in the monastic life. His last day of life concluded by singing in the monastic choir at prayer with his confreres.
For the deceased, the following prayer services are being held:
On Wednesday, 9 January 2019 at 18.45 at Stiftskirche Lambach, a Wake before the evening Mass.
On Thursday, 10 January 2019 at 19.00 at Pfarrkirche Neukirchen bei Lambach.
On Friday, 11 January 2019 at 19.00 at Stiftskirche Lambach, a Rosary before the evening Mass.
The requiem with subsequent burial at the Cemetery is being celebrated on Saturday, 12 January 2019 at 10.00 at Stiftskirche Lambach. Beginning at 08.30, it is possible to pay final respects to the deceased, and at 09.15 the Office of the Dead will be prayed.