Prof. William F. Tageson

William F. Tageson, 91, passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of August 9 while on vacation in South Haven, Michigan after a day of visiting with his family while enjoying pizza, blueberry pie, and a magnificent sunset.
Bill was born in Ludington Michigan to George and Mabel Tageson, the oldest of three brothers. The family soon moved to Manistee and one last time to Oakland California when Bill was 11.
His path led him to the Franciscan community where he served for 25 years as a priest – psychologist, a rarity at that time. After seminary training, his community sent him to complete a doctorate in Clinical Psych at the CUA. He then lived at San Luis Rey Mission, Oceanside, CA, teaching seminarians, counseling, screening applicants, and pursuing college accreditation for the seminary. He also consulted to religious communities, facilitated discussion groups for pastors in Chicago during the racial upheaval of the 60’s.
Bill was invited to join the Psychology faculty at the University of Notre Dame in September, 1969. He was the first former priest welcomed on to the faculty by Fr. Ted Hesburgh. He deeply enjoyed the colleagueship among the faculty and monitoring the development of his graduate students until his retirement in 1993, continuing to teach part-time for another eight years. He served on the faculty senate, authored a text: Humanistic Psychology: A Synthesis in 1986 and supervised many clinicians in agencies in South Bend and Michigan.
Bill and Carol had 2 children and quickly became involved in the local community. Bill enjoyed singing tenor in the SB Symphonic Choir standing beside Tuck Langland (we could always find their 2 shiny heads under the bright lights.) In the 90’s Bill and Carol were able to travel with friends to Europe, including a visit to Assisi. For several years they also had several winter respites in Ixtapa, Mexico. Bill was amazed to live long enough to know his 5 grandchildren and one great-grandchild and remain in such good health until the last year.
His journey came full circle from Ludington Michigan to California, back to the Midwest at Notre Dame, to end at Lake Michigan at a place the entire family truly loved – a 47 year tradition in a small cabin for “two weeks in August”.
Bill is survived by his wife of 47 years, Carol Tageson, whom he married on September 6, 1969. Also left to cherish his memory are their two children, Lisa Tageson and Erik Tageson of South Bend; five grandchildren: Brandon Drudge, Airik Hunt, Danan Walker, Solomon Tageson, Xavier Tageson; a great-grandson Princeton Dumas; and three nieces: Cathy Tageson of Olympia, WA, Debbie Tageson of Arnold, CA , Jill Tageson-Ramirez of Olympia, WA.
Friends can visit on Tuesday, August 15th, from 1:00-2:00 p.m. at McGann Hay University Chapel 2313 Edison Rd. South bend, IN 46615. The celebration of Bill's life will follow at 2:00 p.m., also at the McGann Hay University Chapel, 2313 E. Edison Rd. Just east of Ironwood.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Habitat for Humanity 402 E. South St. South Bend, IN 46601, or Doctors Without Borders USA PO BOX 5030 Hagerstown, MD 21741.To send condolences or for directions log onto: www.McGannHay.com.