BELMONT — Benedictine Father Arthur J. Pendleton, a monk and priest of Belmont Abbey, passed over to the Lord on Friday evening, Feb. 21, 2020, at his home in the monastery.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2020, at Mary Help of Christians Basilica. Burial will follow at Belmont Abbey cemetery.
He was born Jan. 24, 1930, in Providence, Rhode Island, the son of the late Arthur N. Pendleton and Mary Agnes Ryan Pendleton.
He earned a Bachelor of Science in textile chemistry and coloring from the Rhode Island School of Design, and a Master of Science in textile engineering from the Institute of Textile Technology in Charlottesville, Virginia. He pursued further studies in chemistry, earning a Master of Science from the University of Notre Dame and his doctorate from Clemson University.
After coming to the Carolinas to work in the textile industry, Father Arthur entered the monastery at Belmont Abbey in August 1958. He made his first profession of vows on Jan. 27, 1960, and was ordained a priest on June 4, 1964. In the monastery, Father Arthur served as prior under four different superiors, as well as administrator of the Abbey. He was much sought after as a confessor and spiritual director. At Belmont Abbey College, he was a professor in the Chemistry Department for 40 years, 15 of which he was the department chair.
Father Arthur was an exemplary monk, a holy priest, a demanding teacher with a passion for his subject and his students, and a respected and much-loved colleague and friend. He was a mentor to countless students who were drawn by his gentle smile and genuine goodness.
He was preceded in death by his parents and by his brother John.
He is survived by the monks of Belmont Abbey, his sister and brother-in-law Judith and Harry Hoitink, his sister-in-law Jane Pendleton, and his nephews John Christopher Hoitink, Craig Michel Hoitink and Frederic Pieter Hoitink.
Memorial gifts may be made to Belmont Abbey College, 100 Belmont-Mt. Holly Road, Belmont, N.C. 28012.
Condolence messages may be shared at www.McLeanFuneral.com.
McLean Funeral Directors of Belmont was in charge of the arrangements.
— Catholic News Herald