Rev. John C. Endres, S.J.

June 16, 1946 - January 26, 2022

Father John C. Endres, S.J., Emeritus Professor of Scripture at the Jesuit School of Theology of Santa Clara University, died peacefully January 26, 2022 at Sacred Heart Jesuit Center, Los Gatos. He was 75 years of age and a Jesuit for 53 years.

He was a faculty member of the Jesuit theology school in Berkeley since 1982, teaching a variety of courses with a focus on the Psalms, Wisdom literature, Deuterocanonical books of the Old Testament and the Dead Sea Scrolls.

John Carol Endres was born in Tacoma, Washington, June 16, 1946. He graduated from Bellarmine Preparatory School, Tacoma, College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, MA (BA, Classics, 1968) and entered the Jesuit novitiate in Sheridan, OR. He taught Latin and Greek at Gonzaga Prep, Spokane (1971-73), studied Hebrew at Hebrew University, Jerusalem (1973-74), and made his theological studies at Weston School of Theology, Cambridge, MA (1974-77). He was ordained a priest in Seattle June 19, 1976.

He did doctoral studies in theology at Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN (1977-82) and joined the faculty of the Jesuit School of Theology at Berkeley. Except for occasional sabbaticals and visiting professorships, he remained there, receiving emeritus status in 2020.

Father Endres “delighted” to be part of the faculty, where he was involved with both the academic and spiritual formation of the students. In addition to teaching, he led student tours and pilgrimages to lands of the Bible. He wrote extensively, using his knowledge of nine modern and ancient languages to publish books and scholarly articles in his field. He was a member of many professional organizations, including the Society of Biblical Literature, the Society for the Study of Christian Spirituality, and the Catholic Biblical Association of America, where he served a term as president and an editor of the Catholic Biblical Quarterly. Among his many publications are The Fallen Angels Tradition (2014), First and Second Chronicles (2012), A Retreat with the Psalms (2001), and Temple, Monarchy, and Word of God (1988).

In addition to his scholarly work, Father Endres ministered in parishes in the Oakland diocese, at the federal prison for women in Dublin, CA, at Seeds of Life Spirituality Center sponsored by the Verbum Dei Missionary Sisters, and as chaplain to the Ignatian Volunteer Corps. Among the things that most delighted him was his work with Women of Wisdom and Action Initiative, a program that served women religious and their congregations and missions from different parts of Asia.

Father Endres is survived by a sister, Jane (Tom) Vimont, of Kirkland, WA, nephews David (Mary) Vimont and children Jonah and Gabriele of New York City, Dan (Mandee) Vimont and children Caden, Eliot and Cecilia of Madison, WI, niece Jill (Matt) James and children Kendall, Evan, and Gavin, of Bothell, WA.

Funeral Mass will be held Saturday, February 19, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Mary Magdalen Church, 2005 Berryman St, Berkeley, CA 94709 with burial at the Jesuit cemetery in Spokane. A memorial Mass will be offered Friday, February 11 at 11:15 a.m. at Sacred Heart Jesuit Center. It will be livestreamed at https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=afMiOUP5xbo