Father Albert C. Bickerstaff, O.S.B., Director of Campus Ministry and faculty member at the Benedictine Military School in Savannah, GA, and a monk of Saint Vincent Archabbey, Latrobe, PA, died on October 2, 2003. He was 63 years old. Father Albert was born March 4, 1940 in Jeannette, Pennsylvania, a son of the late Charles A. Bickerstaff and Julia (Condo) Bickerstaff.
He attended Sacred Heart Parochial School, Jeannette and was a 1958 graduate of Saint Vincent Preparatory School. He received a bachelor of arts degree from Saint Vincent College in 1963 and a master of divinity degree from Saint Vincent Seminary in 1966. He completed a master of arts degree in history at Notre Dame University in 1971 and a master of education in guidance and counseling at Loyola College of Baltimore in 1977.
Father Albert made simple profession of monastic vows in July of l961 and solemn profession in July of 1964. He was ordained a priest on May 20, 1967 by the late Bishop William G. Connare of Greensburg.
From August of 1967 to July of 1992 he was a member of the Benedictine Priory in Savannah, Georgia, and was on the faculty of Benedictine Military School. In addition to teaching religion and social studies, Father Albert served in a number of other capacities at Benedictine, including assistant basketball coach (1967-1976), varsity football coach (1968-1990), and golf coach (1969-1976, 1987-1992). His students recall him as an “intense coach”. He was an avid sportsman and an ardent Notre Dame fan. He has held key administrative positions at Benedictine Military High School. In 1977 he became director of guidance; and in 1987, assistant headmaster of the school. He worked with the Savannah diocesan retreat for divorced and separated Catholics from 1983 to 1992. He also served on committees at St. Maryπs Home for children. In 1992 Father Albert was named Prior of Saint Vincent Archabbey, a position he held until 1997. Father Albert was named a Saint Vincent College Alumnus of Distinction in 1996 for his service to the college, archabbey, and the church. In August of 1997, he returned to Savannah to serve as Director of Campus Ministry at Benedictine Military High School. He was a member of the Board of Directors of Saint Vincent College and the Board of Directors of the Benedictine Order in Georgia.
Funeral services for Father Albert were held in Savannah, GA on Monday, October 6 and in Latrobe, PA on Friday, October 10.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to “The Fr. Albert C. Bickerstaff Memorial Scholarship Fund” c/o Benedictine Military School, 6502 Seawright Drive, Savannah, Georgia 31406.
