MARCH 13, 2000 JUSTIN HIGH FOUNDING PRINCIPAL DIES AT 65 By DOUG ERNST, Register Editor, NAPA

James Bede Van Duren, a Christian Brother, longtime Catholic educator, and a founding principal of Justin High School, died Saturday. He was 65. 

Brother Bede served on the Queen of the Valley Hospital Board of Trustees since 1996 and was a member of the hospital's Health Care for the Poor Committee. He also served on the Justin-Siena Board of Trustees.

"He was an affable and compassionate gentleman," said Brother Conrad Kearney, librarian at Justin-Siena for the past 30 years. "Brother Bede was well known, much loved and respected throughout the local communities."

Said Queen of the Valley president and chief executive Dennis Sisto: "Brother Bede was invested in improving health and quality of life in the community. He was always well prepared and very thoughtful in his approach to the hospital's mission, vision and values."

Added Sister Patricia Haley, vice president of sponsorship for the Queen: "Brother Bede was one of the most outstanding board members I have ever met in terms of preparing for meetings and speaking up for Mission. He read every piece of paper that was sent to him. He loved all aspects of being a board member."

A native of Wausau, Wis., he completed high school at St. Mary's in Berkeley before entering the Christian Brothers order in 1949 and receiving his habit in 1952.

He completed his final vows at St. Mary's College in 1959.

He received his bachelor's degree from St. Mary's and his master's in 1964 from St. Mary's College in Los Angeles.

He taught at Sacred Heart High School in San Francisco and at Cathedral High School in Los Angeles.

In 1967 he became the founding principal of Justin High School in Napa. Justin became Justin-Siena in 1972.

In 1974 he became sub-director of LaSalle High School in Los Angeles and later became director of Christian Brothers High in Sacramento and Cathedral High in Los Angeles.

Most recently, as his health began to fail, Brother Bede lived at the Mont La Salle retirement retreat in Napa County.

A funeral Mass of Christian burial will be held at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at St. Apollinaris Catholic Church, 3700 Lassen St., Napa. Burial will be at 11 a.m. Friday at Mont La Salle Cemetery.

Visitation will start at 9 a.m. Thursday at Claffey and Rota Funeral Home, 1975 Main St., Napa.


By DOUG ERNST
Register Editor

(reprinted with permission)