1901 – 1984 (September 22)

William Heinrich Bohmann was born on July 22, 1901, in Cloppenburg, Oldenburg, Germany, one of three sons and four daughters of Herman Bohmann and Johanna Balhmann. In 1928 he emigrated to Canada, and, in 1931, moved to the Bronx, New York. Later he relocated to Philadelphia where he worked in the Belmont Mansion, Fairmount Park, from April 1932 to April 1934.

In January, 1935, William was admitted as a candidate for the brotherhood with the Augustinians of the Vice Province of Our Mother of Consolation in Riverdale, New York. On July 4, 1935 he received the habit of an oblate and took the religious name Brother Patrick. In mid-July, 1935, he was transferred to Saint Rita Parish, Racine, Wisconsin, where he worked as a gardener. He was received as a novice in March 1938. He remained in Racine for half a year as a novice and completed his novitiate in Munnerstadt, Germany. He made his first profession of vows on March 29, 1939, and returned to Saint Rita Parish, Racine, where he worked on the farm. On January 6, 1940, he was assigned to the Augustinian community in Monastery, Nova Scotia, Canada.  He professed solemn vows there on September 22, 1942. Later, he was transferred to the Augustinian Monastery in Marylake, Ontario. In May 1945, he was assigned as a gardener and farmer in Ladner, British Columbia. In September, 1952, he returned to Racine.
Brother Patrick moved to Villanova in November, 1955, where he worked as sacristan for the Campus Church. In January, 1957, the Definitors of the Province of Saint Thomas of Villanova accepted Brother Patrick into the Province. His affiliation to the Villanova Province was finalized in February 1960.

In his years at Villanova Brother Patrick became renowned particularly for two special talents: his gardening and his art. His work in the rose garden of Saint Thomas Monastery was admired by all, and was a showpiece of the University. Brother Patrick's paintings of the Villanova campus are now treasured remembrances of him. His art is characterized by simplicity, a cheerful use of color, and the beauty of the environs, and has often been compared to that of Grandma Moses.

On September 22, 1984, Brother Patrick died at Saint Thomas Monastery at the age of 83. He is buried in the Augustinian plot at Calvary Cemetery, West Conshohocken, Pa.