Br. Hugh Nibler, OSB

ST. BENEDICT — Funeral services were held at Mount Angel Abbey for Benedictine Brother Hugh Nibler, who died Monday, July 14 at age 82. Known for having managed the 2,600-acre Mount Angel Abbey tree farm for three decades, Brother Nibler celebrated 50 years of religious life last year.

Brother Nibler was born March 4, 1926 in Gervais as William Bernard. His parents, Henry Edward and Eva Marie Nibler, raised their seven children in the central Willamette Valley in the midst of an extended family of hard workers of German heritage. One sibling was also a religious, Sister of St. Mary of Oregon Lucille (Eva) Nibler.

Brother Nibler’s education started in Gervais at his parish school, Sacred Heart, then progressed to Gervais Union High School. Before graduating, he enlisted during World War II in the U.S. Navy and served from 1944 to 1946.

Based on Treasure Island in San Francisco Bay, Brother Nibler served on the SS Walter Colton, the USS Ascella and the SS Northeastern Victory. After the War, he finished his high school education at Mount Angel Preparatory. In 1951, he earned a bachelor’s degree in fish and game management from what is now Oregon State University, worked several years for the Oregon Fish and Game Commission and then entered the monastery in 1956. A year later on Sept. 29 he became a monk and was given the name Hugh.

Brother Nibler’s first assignment was as a U.S. history, government and science teacher at the Prep School. In 1963, he was assigned to serve as the Abbey forester, a responsibility he managed for nearly 30 years. A faithful and hard-working monk, Brother Nibler was an expert in regional tree and plant species and had an extensive knowledge of forestry practices.

After retiring from forestry work, Brother Nibler worked in the Abbey Library and around the monastery building. In his latter years he introduced grey squirrels to the Abbey hilltop.