Janko Zagar, O.P. died on Wednesday, May 1, 2013 at the age of 92 as the result of complications from a head trauma received during a recent fall. Fr. Janko was born in Croatia in 1921 and came to the U.S. after WWII. He was Professor Emeritus of Moral and Social Philosophy and Theology at the Dominican School of Philosophy & Theology. He obtained the Lectorate in Sacred Theology (STLr) from Blackfriars Hall (Oxford) and the master of arts degree from Oxford University; and the doctorate from University of Paris (Sorbonne).
Fr. Janko served on the faculty at DSPT and GTU from 1961 to 1993. In addition to his teaching responsibilities, Fr. Janko also served in nearly all aspects of academic administration of the School, including Regent of Studies (1969-1975) and Academic Dean (1977-1984). During this tenure, Fr. Janko was instrumental in bringing the School into alignment with the requirements of public accrediting agencies, and in ensuring that course offerings met the needs of both Dominican friars and students from other schools of the Graduate Theological Union. When the name of the School was changed from the “College of St. Albert the Great” to the “Dominican School of Philosophy & Theology,” it was Fr. Janko who insisted that the word philosophy be included, so as to underscore the importance of this relationship between philosophy and theology in the mission of the School.
Funeral arrangements are as follows:
Vigil: Tuesday, May 7, 7:30 pm at St. Albert's, 5890 Birch Court, Oakland.
Funeral Mass: Wednesday, May 8, 10:00 am @ St. Albert's.
Burial in Benicia follows Mass.