Requiescat in Pace: The Rev. James Nicholas Lodwick

Requiescat in Pace
The Rev. James Nicholas Lodwick
October 22, 1938 - August 9, 2023

In last week’s Dean’s List section of eConnections, I mentioned that it had been a heavier than normal week pastorally. Much of that pastoral time was spent tending to Fr. Jim Lodwick, my long-time friend, colleague, and travel companion who, in the early stages of dementia, was beginning to have difficulty caring for himself. Over the course of last week, Jim fell several times, ending up in the emergency room twice and being admitted after the second time. While he did not injure himself in any of his falls, the medical team at Memorial wanted to assess and treat any underlying issues that were contributing to Fr. Jim’s instability. After rehydrating him with plenty of IV fluids and correcting his heart rhythm, Fr. Jim’s attending physician was set to discharge him to a rehab facility for physical therapy. When I saw him yesterday afternoon, Fr. Jim was feeling “okay,” in good spirits, and able to recall personal information on command that allowed me to speak with Medicare on his behalf. Mtr. Tina Velthuizen saw him last evening and also reported that he was “fine.”

This morning, however, Fr. Jim’s heart rate began to slow and then slip into arrhythmia. Efforts to arrest the decline were unsuccessful, and when he went into cardiac arrest this afternoon, his Do Not Resuscitate order was honored. Fr. Jim entered into the nearer presence of Jesus around 3 pm this afternoon. This was, as you can imagine, completely unexpected.

As I was on my way to Toronto when I received the call from his physician, Mtr. Tina and Dcn. Anne answered the call to pray over him and anoint him. I am grateful for their ministry, today and always.

May Jim’s soul, and the souls of all the departed, through the mercy of God rest in peace, and may light perpetual shine upon him.

Please pray for Jim’s sister, Mary, and his niece, who are also mourning the death of Mary’s step-daughter who died suddenly last week. Please pray also for all who knew and loved Fr. Jim.

Arrangements are pending.

Blessings,
Brian