The Rev. Xavier R. Mihm, O.S.B., 81, a monk of Saint Vincent Archabbey, died on October 29, 1996 after an extended illness.

He was born on the North Side of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on July 2, 1915, and attended Saint Marys Parochial School there.

He was a 1933 graduate of Saint Vincent Preparatory School. He received a bachelor’s degree from Saint Vincent College in 1942, and a master’s degree from Saint Vincent Seminary in 1948. In 1951 he was granted a doctorate in chemistry from Purdue University.

Fr. Xavier entered the Benedictine monastic community of Saint Vincent Archabbey in 1935. He made simple profession of vows on July 2, 1936, and solemn profession of vows on July 11, 1939.

He was ordained a priest in Saint Vincent Archabbey Church by the late Bishop Hugh Boyle of Pittsburgh, on June 6, 1943.

Fr. Xavier taught in the chemistry departments of Saint Vincent College (1943-45 and 1951-58); Gannon University (1958-64); and Walsh College (1964-69). He was a member of the American Chemical Society and a fourth degree Knight of Columbus.

He retired in 1986 and in 1992 returned to the Archabbey due to ill health.

Fr. Xavier is survived by a brother, Thomas of Detroit, Michigan; and nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Margaret (Schmitt) Mihm; and two sisters and a brother.