Brennan R. Hill Ph.D.

Dr. Brennan R. Hill, Xavier Theology Professor, beloved husband of Marie Martens Hill for 47 years entered into eternal life on December 12th. Father of Ami Armbruster (Ed) and Brennan J. Hill (Allie). Grandfather of Marie, Natalie and Lauren Armbruster; Grant, Leo and Macy Hill. Predeceased by his mother, Elva. Brennan retired from Xavier University in 2006 after teaching theology for 22 years. He cooked at the Catholic Worker House for homeless men for seven years and ministered to the dying as a Chaplain with Hospice of Cincinnati. In recent years, he served as Chaplain for his Bellarmine Chapel conference of St. Vincent de Paul. Brennan cherished visiting his neighbors who lived close to Xavier and offering a hand up with rent/energy assistance, furniture or needed household items. Brennan wrote 27 books including three volumes on Spiritual Heroes, Dialogues with Jesus (Jesus Speaks with Religious Founders and Leaders), and World Religions and Contemporary Issues. He led 17 pilgrimages all over the world to learn more about religions and spiritual practice. He earned a PhD from Marquette University and Masters Degrees from Cambridge University, St. Bonaventure and Catholic University of America. Brennan taught for over 50 years and was most at home with parish programs or giving marriage talks with his wife, Marie. Together they recently wrote zoom programs called Aging Gracefully During the Pandemic and Black Lives are Sacred. His children and grandchildren were his greatest joy. Brennan is remembered for his warmth and wisdom, his humor and generosity, his kindness and concern for social justice. Mass of Christian Burial will be live streamed from Bellarminechapel.org on Monday, December 21 at 10:30 a.m. EST. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation by check to St. Vincent de Paul, and include Brennan in the memo. Mail checks to Jim Doerger, Treasurer, 31 Frick Ct., Cincinnati, OH 45246.