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At the age of 70, William Harnischfeger felt the call from God to become a Catholic priest. After 35 years of marriage and nearly 40 years as a physician, William, a widower and retired cardiologist, answered this call and entered the priesthood.
Before his death, he included Ave Maria University in his estate plan. This simple but thoughtful act is fitting as another chapter of Fr. Harnischfeger's incredible life story—one we are pleased to share.
As a young boy in Bad Soden, Germany, William W. Harnischfeger dreamed of growing up to be a seelenarzt, or a soul doctor. That feeling never left, but his dream of a medical education was quickly put on hold when World War II broke out and the German Army inducted him as a medic. While working as a medic, William faced many hardships—including the loss of two of his four brothers during the war, both on the same day.
He attributed many of his own near-death experiences to providence. He was nearly shot by a Russian soldier, involved in a bunker explosion that left him blind in one eye and with 54 pieces of shrapnel in his head, and, by a last-minute mix-up, he was prevented from boarding a Red Cross plane that was shot down, killing all on board.
Fr. William Harnischfeger
A Distinguished Medical Career
Following the war, William pursued his dream of a medical degree and was accepted to the University of Heidelberg in 1950. In 1952 he immigrated to the United States and served a second internship and residency at Northwestern University's Hospital in Evanston, Illinois. From there he began a fellowship in cardiology at the Michael Reese Hospital and Medical Center in Chicago, where he met his wife Irene, who was a nurse.
After his fellowship William served as a U.S. Navy doctor at Portsmouth Naval Hospital in Norfolk, Virginia, practiced diagnostic cardiology in Evanston, was an assistant professor of cardiology at Northwestern University, and practiced internal medicine and cardiology in Sun City, Arizona, until 1989.
A Life of Service
Accepted to University of Heidelberg
Immigrated to the United States
Called to the priesthood
Ordained a Catholic priest
From Physician to Priest
After the death of Irene in 1990, William planned to become a permanent deacon but later moved to Milwaukee, where he entered Sacred Heart School of Theology. For William the transition from physician to priest was not difficult, nor did he see his two professions as incompatible. He recalled conversations with Irene in which they speculated what each might do should the other die. “We would sort of joke; she said she might become a nun, and I said then I would be a priest.”
He knew the calling to his latest vocation would switch from treating bodies to ministering to souls.
“We would sort of joke; she said she might become a nun, and I said then I would be a priest.”Fr. William HarnischfegerPhysician, Priest & Benefactor
A Legacy at Ave Maria
Before his death, Fr. Harnischfeger included Ave Maria University in his estate plan. This simple but thoughtful act ensures that his remarkable story of faith, service, and transformation continues to inspire future generations of students. His gift is a testament to a life lived in full response to God's call—from the battlefields of war, to the exam rooms of medicine, to the altars of the Church.
Fr. Harnischfeger's story reminds us that it is never too late to answer God's call, and that a planned gift can extend one's mission of service far beyond a lifetime.
Leave Your Own Legacy
Like Fr. Harnischfeger, you can ensure that your faith and generosity continue to shape lives at Ave Maria University. Learn how to include AMU in your estate plan.