Msgr. Francis X. Eggert’s passing on Feb. 20, 2019, was met with emotion from the students of St. Pius X High School who were inspired by him and his work as a teacher and principal at the school from 1958 to 1968 and their continued connection to him.

“Fr. Eggert was a great mentor to a number of us and that continued after we graduated,” says Art Verardo ’64. “He attended our reunions and stayed in touch. He was an incredible human being.”

Eggert, born and raised in Albuquerque, was a graduate of St. Michael’s High School in Santa Fe. He attended Lourdes Seminary and the Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary in Santa Fe and completed his philosophical and theological studies at St. Charles Borromeo Major Seminary in Philadelphia, according to his obituary. He was ordained to the priesthood on May 24, 1958, by Archbishop Edward Vincent Byrne, and began teaching at St. Pius X later that year.

Chuck Reynolds ’64 says Eggert has been known as a strict disciplinarian who maintained a firm hold on the behavior of his students in and outside of his classroom.

“Apparently though, and probably much to the surprise of his later students, his strict classroom discipline was not always the norm,” Reynolds says. “According to members of the Class of 1960, Msgr. Eggert’s — then Fr. Eggert, of course — classroom control during his first year at St. Pius was tenuous at best.”

Fr. Eggert’s first teaching year was described as somewhat of a disaster, in terms of the boys biology students running wild in his classroom. However, the next year he came back with a fierce determination to maintain strict discipline.

“One year of misbehaving boys was enough,” Reynolds says. “His reputation for discipline after that became legendary. Of course he was always loved and respected, and as so often happens, that strict discipline was very much appreciated in later years.”

Verardo is one of Eggert’s students who greatly appreciated him.

“He had a tremendous impact on me as my science teacher,” Verardo says. “I was interested in science and technology because he was my science teacher for four years. He encouraged me to pursue my curiosity in that field. I went on to a successful 30-year career in electrical engineering and retired from Sandia.

“His encouragement and support in science and technology was instrumental in leading me to that career choice. I owe my career to Msg. Eggert.”

Ernie Stewart ’64 also found inspiration in Eggert’s classroom.

“My impression of Msgr. Eggert as teacher was that he could bring things alive when he taught and that inspired you to learn and enjoy learning what was being taught,” Stewart says. “I have had many teachers and I am grateful for people who teach. Msgr. Eggert had a special talent that many teachers do not have.”

Reynolds found success in college thanks to Eggert and came to understand the regard with which he was held as a science teacher.

“As a freshman at UNM I was taking a biology class from Dr. Martin Fleck, a very highly respected and also talented biology teacher,” Reynolds says. “I was doing well in the class, all to the credit of Fr. Eggert. Toward the end of the semester Dr. Fleck approached me and asked me where I attended high school. I told him, ‘St. Pius,’ and he said with a knowing nod, ‘Oh, Frank Eggert, sure.’

“Dr. Fleck went on to explain that he had had other St. Pius students in his biology class. It was strange to hear Fr. Eggert referred to as ‘Frank Eggert,’ but it was obvious he was well known in the UNM Biology Department as an excellent high school level biology teacher.”

Eggert earned many degrees throughout his life, including master’s degrees in church history, educational administration, and counseling and guidance, and he pursued doctoral studies in clinical psychology. After his time at St. Pius X he served in the Archdiocese of Santa Fe as rector of Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary and pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Santa Fe, and Sacred Heart Church in Albuquerque. His longest and final assignment was pastor of Our Lady of Fatima Church in Albuquerque. He served the Archdiocese of Santa Fe in other capacities, including as a member of the College of Consultors and the Priests Council, Director for the Catholic Youth, Vocations Director, and Dean of both the “C” and Santa Fe Deaneries, according to his obituary. On January 31, 2007, the Pope conferred on him the honorary title of Monsignor.

“In all of his assignments, he was hardworking and most dedicated to those who were entrusted to his spiritual care,” his family wrote. “His greatest joy in life was to be a priest.”

St. Pius X senior and violinist Edie Bickel, is Eggert’s great niece and says his generosity to her was tremendous. “He put aside money to buy me a performance bow,” she says. “He had the most faith in me and said, ‘You’re so good you’re going to need one.’

“He taught me more about faith than any religion class. He lived out God’s love fully.”