Father Dan Anderson, OFM, 76, passed away Sept. 25 at St. Francis Seraph Friary in Cincinnati.

A native of Cincinnati, Father Dan was the son of the late Robert and Annetta Anderson. He attended St. Margaret Mary Grade School and Roger Bacon High School. He continued his studies at Duns Scotus College in Southfield, Mich., receiving a bachelor’s degree in philosophy. He also received a Master of Divinity degree in theology/ministry from St. Leonard College in Centerville, Ohio, and a master’s degree in theatre from St. Louis University. Father Dan entered the Franciscan novitiate on Aug. 15, 1967, professed his first vows on Aug. 16, 1968, and made his solemn profession on Sept. 4, 1971. He was ordained to the priesthood on March 26, 1976, at St. Francis Seraph Church in Cincinnati.

The majority of Father Dan’s friar life was spent in Cincinnati. His ministry over the years included serving as a speech, English and theatre teacher at Roger Bacon, where he also developed the school’s theatre program, enabling students to share their gifts and talents and touch the hearts of delighted audiences. His love for theatre also led Father Dan to serve as artistic director for the Fountain Square Fools and to active involvement in Cincinnati Music Theatre. In addition, Father Dan spent two years as the audiotape editor at St. Anthony Messenger magazine, ministered as associate pastor at St. George Parish and Newman Center, served as the provincial archivist and librarian and was the longtime chaplain for the Ursulines of Cincinnati and Saint Ursula Academy. Father Dan most recently served as Secretary for St. John the Baptist Province, interim Secretary for the soon-to-be unified Province of our Lady of Guadalupe and was set to minister as Secretary for the new coast-to-coast province, headquartered in Atlanta.

Father Dan is survived by his sister, Judy Steele-Mitchell. Friars and friends will receive Father Dan’s body at St. Clement Church in St. Bernard on Tuesday, Oct. 3 at 9 a.m. The Mass of Christian Burial follows at 10 a.m. Interment will take place following Mass in the friars’ plot at St. Mary Cemetery in Cincinnati.