Bernard W. Sheehan, 81
Feb. 24, 1934—June 13, 2015
BLOOMINGTON — Bernard W. Sheehan died June 13, 2015, at Hospice House in Bloomington, Indiana. He was born February 24, 1934, in New York City. He graduated from Fordham University (1957); received an A.M. from the University of Michigan (1958); and completed a Ph.D. at the University of Virginia (1965). He taught at Regis College, the University of Virginia, Madison College, the University of Alabama and the College of William and Mary before joining the Indiana University history department in 1969. During his tenure, Bernard established himself as a specialist in American Colonial, Revolutionary, Intellectual and Indian History.
Following his retirement in 1998, Bernard served as editor of the Indiana Magazine of History. He was an active member of The Heritage Foundation, The Philadelphia Society and the Acton Institute.
Bernard married Janina Urich in 1957. They raised three children and he was a constant and devoted husband and loving father. He was humble, dry-witted, patient, generous and kind — loved good conversation, classical music and opera, oriental carpets, antique delft, old movies and beer. He loved to sit and read all day with our cat.
Bernard lived a life of the mind, pursued truth, loved beauty. He held a deep faith, but was neither pious nor sentimental. Beloved by family, friends and students and an example to all.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Margaret (Chidwick) and William J. Sheehan; aunt, Helen Chidwick; sister-in-law, Marjory Gamache Sheehan; brother-in-law, Joseph Urich and numerous relatives that an Irish Catholic family so often provides. He is survived by his wife, Janina U. Sheehan; his children, Neil J. Sheehan (Pauline) of Evanston, Illinois; Manya Sheehan Basile of Beverly Hills, Michigan; Jessica Haines (Andrew) of Phoenix, Arizona; grandchildren, Drew and Charles Basile and Ian and Aidan Haines; brother, John C. Sheehan of Maryland; and brother & sisters-in-law, Kenneth and Virginia Driver and Margaret S. Urich, also many cousins, nieces and nephews.
If desired, donations can be made to Hospice House, IU Bloomington Hospital Foundation, P.O. Box 1149, Bloomington, Indiana 47402 or St. Charles School, 2324 E. 3rd Street, Bloomington, Indiana 47401. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Bloomington on Thursday, June 25, at 11 a.m. Family will receive visitors prior to the Mass at the Church from 10 to 11 a.m.
Our gratitude to Drs. J. Jesseph, D. Joyce, T. Sharp and the exceptional staff of Hospice House for their compassionate care.