Fr. Paul was born into the Harmonist Society, a sect similar to the Quakers that existed in Pennsylvania after emigrating from Germany in the early 19th century. The society eventually dissolved and its members split into Catholic, Lutheran and Reformed directions. Fr. Paul’s younger brother Mike is a Lutheran minister.

Father Paul’s second cousin was Mother Benedict Duss, the foundress of the famous Regina Laudis Abbey in Bethlehem, Connecticut.   The movie “Come to the Stable” starring Loretta Young was loosely based on her life. The abbey attracted and still does attract many powerful and famous women to monastic life. Mother Dolores Hart for example was an actress who gave Elvis Presley his first on screen kiss, her documentary “God is the bigger Elvis” was up for an Academy Award a few years ago. 

As the Holy Spirit works, Mother Benedict was my aunt Jean’s spiritual director and Fr. Paul was my spiritual director. This was the origin of our long friendship.

Mother Benedict’s influence on Father Paul was the basis for his dedication to the women of the CCW, the Council of Catholic Women, many of whose members are here today.    

Fr. Paul was forced to be “The Man of the House” at an early age after witnessing his father dropping dead of a heart attack in front of him. This obviously had a profound effect on him leading him to his interest in healthcare.

From early age Fr. Paul was a gifted musician excelling at the pipe organ, he taught music and was a close friend of Maria von Trapp of whom he said “Was a wonderful woman but resembled Tugboat Annie rather than Julie Andrews.”

He cherished his Cherokee ancestry passed down from his Grandmother “Mary Proud Hatchett”.

Father was a proud Veteran serving in the Army Armored division doing clerical work during the Vietnam era.

After his service Father taught school and his students called him “Chips” after the title character of the movie “Goodbye Mister Chips” the story of a beloved English school teacher. 

Father was quite the Anglophile, keeping up with the doings of the Royal Family and filling his car with “Petrol” and keeping to his busy “SHED jool”. 

His academic life led him to pursue a PhD in Psychology from Harvard University. Father was a gifted counselor and advisor to many, many people.

While serving as a Chaplain at the Mayo Clinic, he was asked to make a visit on the VIP floor. A nice lady answered the door, Father inquired as to their religious affiliation, she replied “I am a Methodist but my husband is a Southern Baptist, come in and meet him.” and she then introduced him to Billy Graham.

Father was a late vocation and studied at the Pope John the 23rd National Seminary in Weston, Massachusetts. He was ordained in 1974 for the Diocese of Duluth by Bishop Paul Anderson.

Father served as Pastor in many parishes in the Diocese of Duluth and he was my Pastor at St. James in Aitkin while I was undergoing my formation for the Deaconate, he was a great mentor for both Deacon Jim Kirzeder and me during our studies.

In the early 1990’s Father suffered a heart attack, then Bishop Dennis Schnurr, decided to assign him to the little sleepy parish of St. James in Aitkin, good luck Father Paul! Little did he know that he would be asked to enter a massive building project constructing a new church and parish facility in Aitkin. Father was more than up to the task and despite opposition from a fringe group he managed to design and construct what is today one of the most beautiful and reverent churches in the diocese.

Father served many years as the State Chaplain of the Knights of Columbus many of whom are here today.

Father Paul Fruth’s was a life well lived marked by his kindness and caring.

He was an award winning poet and composer of prayers.

In his words:

Our faith sustains our lives

Around the

Eucharistic presence

We are called to

Steady the ship of faith

And remain faithful in 

Our love for God.

We move

Onward and upward

To the fullness of God’s Kingdom.

We live in the reign of Christ

Through Mary

Out of Divine callings

And virtuous love forever.

We shall not see his like again. We live in hope that the Reverend Doctor Paul Fruth has finally heard those words he longed to hear “Well done my good and faithful servant”.