Br. Robert Staub
From his entrance into the Juniorate in 1936, Edward, as he was then known, was recognized by his fellow students as bright (lots of A’s) and musically inclined (singing and violin). He was quiet, reserved and deeply religious – all qualities honored in the formative years of religious life. Brother Robert would later define his own personality through his many activities and accomplishments, each done in his own personal style and according to his own time schedule which led his confreres to describe him as a ‘real character,’ but one capable of genuine kindness to others and a deep concern for the task at hand.
Brother Robert became interested in environmental studies when he entered Saint Mary’s College in Winona, MN but his struggle through the years for his Doctorate (1966) from the University of Minnesota was a long and tedious trail. He remained a lifelong learner. While he will always be associated with his over half century of teaching at CBC and CBU Memphis, Bro. Robert also taught at Christian Brothers College HS in St. Louis, DeLaSalle in Minneapolis, and St. Mel in Chicago, but it is in Memphis that Brother Robert’s teaching life is defined, for he was associated with CBCHS and CBU for over fifty years.
Brother Robert was very determined that his students learn the fine points of his life science courses because he held these courses in high honor and expected the learners to do the same. Each year was loaded with classes and many add-on activities; he also served as faculty moderator and a member of a variety of academic associations. He was faculty athletic moderator, residence hall prefect, Mothers Club moderator, and school photographer. Outside the campus he was active in many civic groups perhaps highlighted by his support for the Citizens to Preserve Overton Park. It was through the work of this committee and a favorable decision by the U. S. Supreme Court that U.S. Interstate 40 was blocked from going through the heart of the city of Memphis.
Brother intended to remain active and involved in a variety of interests but in his seventies health problems limited his efforts. “I do not ever remember Robert criticizing anyone or complaining about anything,” remarked a community Brother in table conversation a few weeks after Robert’s death. His fellow brothers found him to be a many-sided personality. As one Brother observed: “If Christ today was sending his missionaries out two by two, Robert would be a wonderful ‘other’ on the trip because his partner would learn, be edified, and always entertained.”
Brother Robert is buried in Calvary Cemetery in Memphis, Tennessee.