Recently, during the recreational time of my yearly priestly retreat at the Good Counsel Retreat Center in Waverly, I had a chance to sit down with Father Ed Stander, one of our retired priests who lives at the Bonacum House in Lincoln. Rather than talk about the Huskers, I asked him to tell me about his parents.
I learned his father lost his eyesight as a young man. He was fixing a tire, it blew up in his face, and he became blinded on the spot. Being engaged to be married at the time, his family tried to discourage the wedding, reasoning he would be a financial burden to his future wife and family. The Standers were not to be discouraged, for although the wedding needed to be delayed for obvious medical reasons, they were eventually married and Msgr. Thomas Kealy witnessed their wedding vows. ‘For better and worse and for sickness and in health until death do you part.’
How would he support his wife and future family? He enrolled at the School for the Blind in Shenandoah, Iowa. After graduating he started his own business selling handcrafted rugs and cane chairs. During WWII, he worked at a bomber plant. He even later became an auto mechanic and helped out in roofing projects. His favorite time to be on the roof was from 8 in the evening till 8 in the morning because it was the coolest part of the day.
The more I learned about Father Stander’s father, the more I was amazed. There are many individuals around the world who, after suffering a serious disability, sink into a profound depression. Not Robert Stander, for with the grace of God and hard work and determination, he became a good husband, father and provider.
Out of this marital union, which was a reflection of the union between Jesus Christ and His bride the Catholic Church, came a little boy named Edwin Stander who went on to become a Catholic priest. He was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop James Casey May 31, 1963 and for more than 52 years has touched and continues to touch the lives of countless souls. Only in the next life will it be revealed how many souls were saved because of the grace of God and the determination of his parents, Robert and Agnes Stander.
May they be an inspiration for those who suddenly become disabled - for, with the grace of God, they will persevere too.
