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Fr. Urban F. Bates, OP

The words of St. Paul (Cf. Col 3:12 –17) typify the life of Urban Francis Bates, OP. But what can one say in just a few sentences that captures the whole life of an individual? I want to exemplify just some of the qualities, passions and eccentricities of Urban Bates.

Urban was a Dominican. In the Order, we speak of bringing the Gospel to the ends of the earth. Urban did this by serving in the jungles of Chiapas for three years and by serving in the various parishes of the Province; however, he spent the last 29 years of his life serving the people of Alaska.

He began by serving at the North Slope of Alaska on the DEW Line (the Distant Early Warning Line) as chaplain to the military and civilians who served there. For many years he served in the farthest reaches of the Alaskan Bush. Then, for a while he ministered on the "circuit," i.e., in various parishes and missions in the Archdiocese of Anchorage outside the city limits of Anchorage. Finally, he spent his remaining years at Holy Family Cathedral in Anchorage, ministering at the Cathedral and in some of the city's prisons.

As a missionary, he developed an Alaskan spirit with a character that fit Alaska: he was hearty, tough and rugged. In his various ministries in Alaska he met up with extreme climate conditions on a regular basis. He survived months of complete darkness while in the far North, while also weathering extreme temperatures that sometimes went below –50º. We often joked that Urban was indestructible. He survived rotten food, numerous car accidents, plane crashes, falling down on the ice, harsh winters in a trailer and months of darkness and isolation with a shrug! He was independent, had faith without fear, and believed that "God will provide" in all things. He was always on the move. Further, he learned to be resourceful and self-reliant. He loved to build things—and did it his way. At the house in Anchorage, we would get nervous when, out of the blue, we would hear sawing and hammering somewhere in the house. We weren't sure where there would be a new hole in the wall or an extra shelf added. There is an old saying, "You can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear," but Urban tried!

Urban loved to fly—whether it was from the cockpit of a plane or from behind the wheel of a car. He was mobile and on the go; he was a "speed demon." While in Anchorage, he received the generous gift of a little red sports car from a friend. I remember him joking (with a wicked smile), "That's my personality!" I also remember a trip we took to McCarthy years ago. One of the brethren told me not to get into the car with Urban. I thought he was joking! As Urban and I flew over the two-foot deep potholes on the way to McCarthy—at 45 miles per hour—he stated confidently, "If you go faster you don't actually hit any of the potholes." I remember praying three acts of contrition on that particular trip.

Urban was a survivor of the Great Depression. There is no doubt that this made a huge impact upon his life. He took his vow of poverty seriously. There is an old saying, "Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without." That captures the mindset of Urban Bates. Because of the intensity of his desire to live a life of simplicity and poverty, he often was a challenge to his Dominican brethren. Frequently, he gave away the community funds to anyone who came knocking at the door. On a few occasions, he allowed the homeless into the house to make themselves a sandwich or to make a phone call. I once found a man rummaging through the refrigerator. I asked him what he thought he was doing. He responded by saying matter-of-factly, "The old man said I could." Urban never wasted anything—especially food. He was always content with what he found to eat. He would not think twice about eating stale food. He was also one to turn the lights off—no matter how dark it may be outside. He spent years living in a small trailer in the Alaska Bush, no doubt, eating very simple meals and preserving electricity.

Urban was a faithful priest. He was devoted to the celebration of the divine office, daily Mass, the rosary and his private prayer. I often found him in the chapel, sometimes kneeling (at the age of 87) before the Blessed Sacrament. He was a servant: one could see that his energy was oriented outward, toward others, as he visited the sick and the homebound. He was generous, kind, patient and could laugh at himself. He had a heart of bronze for charity. I never heard him say one uncharitable thing about another person in the four years I knew him! Furthermore, he was often bewildered by the lack of charity of others.

Urban had a cheerful and happy demeanor. When he suffered, he just shrugged it off as being a part of life. He would not complain of any suffering unless asked by his superior. Then, he would be honest and straightforward. Many people didn't realize that by the end of his life, only one of his five senses worked fully. Everyone knew he was deaf; but most didn't know that his eyesight was very poor and that he had lost his sense of taste and smell. At home or on the road, he often sang or whistled and made his characteristic noises. I once joked about his noisemaking. He merely shrugged it off by exclaiming in a rising voice, "A man's got to do something to keep himself entertained!" During the divine office, he sang with his booming voice—frequently off key—but with a genuine passion and vigor.

Urban had a passion for Catholic Social Teaching. There are many who speak of the Church's teachings—yet who struggle to practice them. He believed in Catholic Social Teaching and lived it. In this regard, Urban was always a doer more than a thinker. In the 1950's, he discovered the Catholic Worker movement. While involved in the Catholic Worker, he met Dorothy Day in Milwaukee and worked with her for a few years. He was overjoyed when, years later, she came to St. Albert's for a visit. As a layman, he was a proponent of peace and a union organizer. During World War II, he was a conscientious objector; yet, this did not stop him from serving his country as a Navy medic in the South Pacific during the war.

He was one to read the newspaper from cover to cover, and was always socially conscious of what was going on in society. He always exercised his right and duty to vote. And if you got him talking about a social issue in the Church or the world, he would get passionate, with his face turning scarlet red and his deep voice growing louder and louder.

During his time in Alaska, he served Native Alaskans, the poor, the homeless, the hopeless, the alcoholic and the underdog. He strived to help the unemployed by protecting their rights. If he were to have chosen a feast day, I have no doubt it would have been Labor Day, because this day symbolized much of what he believed in. He was completely devoted to those imprisoned. In his last years, he normally celebrated four Masses a week for the incarcerated. They had a deep respect and admiration for him and simply referred to him as "the Man." In short, Fr. Urban served the "common man." As one parishioner of Holy Family Cathedral noted, "he served the people that no one else would help."

Recognizing his example of living Catholic Social Teaching, the Archdiocese of Anchorage awarded him the first St. Francis of Assisi Award for his imitation of St. Francis in how he served the poor and how he was the face of Christ to others. When the Archdiocese first began to solicit nominations for this award, Fr. Urban received more nominations than the rest of the nominees combined.

He was the glue to whatever community he belonged. Even though he often lived alone in different parts of Alaska, he was always connected to the community. Whether it be Catholics, Protestants or non-believers, he was one to visit people and to inquire about their well-being. He was a "social animal" in that he was genuinely interested in people's lives. He kept neighbors linked together. He was always writing and staying connected to his own siblings. In regard to his Dominican brothers, when he vacationed, he often stayed at our houses on the West Coast. He was prolific in his correspondence. I know there will be many people out there wondering why he no longer writes.

Urban Francis Bates, OP is beloved by many. He has left a hole in the lives of many by his death—not only because of the impression he made in their lives, but because there is no one to replace him. In life, there are people who take, take and take. Urban Bates gave, gave and gave. In the end, his spirit continued to soar, but his body gave out. He had given everything until there was nothing left to give. Then, like Jesus on the Cross, he poured out his life: he spent himself—and the Lord took him home.

- Fr. Joseph Sergott, OP
- Fr. Bryan Kromholtz, OP
26 October, 2003

Fr. Urban died in the early morning on the memorial of St. Peter Claver.   Rosary and Wake will be Tuesday, September 16th, 7:30 PM.  Funeral Mass will be Wednesday, September 17th, 10:00 AM.

Holy Father Dominic, pray from him, that Urban may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.  May his soul and souls of the faithful departed rest in peace.  Amen.

Obituary

Rev. Urban Bates, OP, Dominican Friar, longtime Alaskan Catholic priest & missionary, died early morning September 9, 2003 in Anchorage. He was born in Eagle Grove, Iowa, March 29, 1915. Son of Patrick Francis Bates & Isabel Jane McKernan. He was preceded in death earlier this year by his younger sister, Margaret Mary Bates, and his nephew, Patrick. He is survived by his brother, Bernard Bales of Bayside, WI, and his sister, Isabel Mullen of Westwood, New Jersey. His nieces & nephews include: Joseph, Mary, John. Paul, Ann, Mary, Michael, John, Catherine, Cecily, and Elizabeth. After serving as a medic (USN) in the South Pacific during WW II, Fr. Urban joined the Dominican Friars of the Western province in September 1947, and served in various parishes of California, Oregon, Washington, and Alaska. Fr. Urban served as a chaplain on the Distant Early Warning System (Dewline) for three years. Most chaplains lasted 3 months! He was also a missionary in Chiapas, Mexico. He was recipient of the Archdiocesan St. Francis of Assisi Award as outstanding Catholic priest and missionary, in 2002, the year of his 50th anniversary of ordination as a Catholic priest. In recent years, Fr. Urban faithfully celebrated Mass for prisoners in the Anchorage jails, and the sick at Alaska Native Medical Center.

Funeral at Holy Family Cathedral (Anchorage) (5t1I Ave. & H St.): Saturday, September 13, 2003. Viewing with Rosary starts at 9 a.m. Mass starts at 10 a.m. His remains will be sent to St. Albert's Priory, Oakland, Ca. A Vigil will be celebrated at St. Albert's Priory, 5890 Birch Court, Oakland, Ca. 94618 on Tuesday, September 16, at 7:30 p.m. Funeral Mass in Oakland will be at St. Albert's Priory, Wednesday, September 17, at 110 am., with burial following at St. Dominic's Cemetery, Benicia, Ca.

In lieu of flowers please send donations to support Dominican seminarians to: Fr. Urban Bates Memorial Burse, Western Dominican Province, 5877 Birch Court, Oakland, CA. 94618-1626. Funeral Directors: Witzleben,  Anchorage & Bayview Chapel. Berkeley, Ca.

List of Assignments

Place	Capacity and Office	Dates
Seattle, WA	Blessed Sacrament Vicar-Coop.	Jul 4, 1955 Sep 15, 1955
San Francisco, CA	St. Dominic's	Apr 29, 1957
Portland, OR	Holy Rosary: Asst. Pastor	May 7, 1958
Vallejo, CA	Asst. Pastor	Oct 20, 1959
Alaska	Dewline	Jul 7, 1961
Seattle, WA	Assigned Asst. Pastor House Council & Procurator	Apr 3, 1964 May 4, 1964 Jul 7, 1964
Benicia, CA	Superior	Mar 28, 1968
Oakland, CA	Assigned	Sep 13, 1971
Ocosingo, Mexico	Assigned	Jan 24, 1972
Los Angeles, CA	St. Dominic's	Sep 29, 1975
Glenallen, AK	Holy Family Cathedral: assigned	Oct 12, 1977
Kodiak, AK	St. Mary's Church: Pastor	Aug 27, 1977
Big Lake, AK	Our Lady of the Lake: Pastor	Jan 1, 1984
Talkeetna, AK Willow, AK Trapper Creek, AK	St. Bernard: Pastor St. Christopher St. Philip	Jul 10, 1984
Anchorage, AK	Holy Family Cathedral	Sep 8, 1991

Personal Record

Father: Patrick F. Bates
Mother (maiden name): Isabelle Jane McKernan
Brother: Bernard Bates
Sister: Mrs. James Mullin
Sister: Ms. Margaret Mary Bates

Date of Birth: March 29, 1915
Place of Birth: Eagle Grove, IA

Date of Baptism: April 4, 1915
Place of Baptism: Sacred Heart Church, Eagle Grove, IA

Education

North Division High School, Milwaukee, WI (1932)
Boston College, Boston, MA (1946-47)
College of St. Albert the Great (1948-1956)

Reception of the Habit

College of the Immaculate Conception, Kentfield, CA
September 9, 1947
Very Rev. W.G. Martin, OP

Simple Profession

Kentfield, CA
September 10, 1948
Very Rev. P.B. Condon, OP

Solemn Vows

St. Albert Priory, Oakland, CA
September 10, 1951
Very Rev. J.P. Kelly, OP

Ordination

St. Mary's Cathedral, San Francisco, CA
June 12, 1953
Most Rev. J.J. Mitty

Date of Birth	Date of Profession	Date of Ordination	Date of Death
March 29, 1915	September 10, 1948	June 12, 1953	September 9, 2003

Archive Record: XII:299