Passing of our Brother Knights

This page is in honor of our Brother Knights that are no longer with us in body, but will always be with us in spirit and prayer. As our brothers pass on, they will always be remembered here.

Dr. Peter App, passed away on May 27, 2019, Memorial Day, at the age of 79. He was born in New York, New York to a family dedicated to the practice of law. Dr. App, son of John Weber App and Lucille O’Connor, was the eldest of three children. In 1957, Dr. App started college at Georgetown University in Washington DC, with the intention to study law. During his third year at Georgetown, Dr App was a victim of a car accident that changed the trajectory of his life. He told himself that if he survived, he would become a physician.He promised God that he would serve people no matter who they are or how much they could pay until he was no longer physically or mentally able. Due to the car accident, he graduated a year later than expected with his brother Jonathan App in 1962. Dr. App went on to medical school at Temple University School of Medicine in Philadelphia, PA. During his third year of medical school, he did an away rotation at Mayo Clinic. There he met his wife, Margo Maryland, and married in 1965. He and Margo moved to Grand Rapids Michigan to start his internal medicine internship July of 1966. In 1967, during the Vietnam War, Dr. App was called to duty by the Navy. He was released from active duty in June 1970. However, he continued work one weekend a month in reserve duty until 1996, whereby he was discharged with distinction as a Commander.  Given his experience in working with the naval families, rather than Internal Medicine, Dr. App decided to become a Family Practioner upon his return to Grand Rapids. Before he started his solo practice, he served as the first medical director of St. Mary’s Hospital Emergency Department. Dr. App developed a very large solo practice that expanded to a large group practice while at the same time would have “side jobs” as he called them. These side jobs included being a coroner, an officer in the Kent County Medical Society, Michigan State Medical Society, and Michigan Association of Family Medicine; doing sports physicals for several Catholic schools, starting the student medical center at Aquinas and their part-time physician, the Medical Director of River Valley Recovery Center and being the ring side doctor at Golden Glove boxing matches. Dr. App took care of thousands of families and delivered 4000 babies before retiring in 2014 after forty-eight years of practice. Dr. App was a devout Catholic. As a parishioner of St. Alphonsus, he loved to be a lector at mass. He joined the Knights of Columbus and was a Fourth Degree Knight. The last few years of his life he was lovingly cared for in the home of his son and daughter-in-law, Drs. Michael and Colleen App. 

Dr. Peter App, passed away on May 27, 2019, Memorial Day, at the age of 79. He was born in New York, New York to a family dedicated to the practice of law. Dr. App, son of John Weber App and Lucille O’Connor, was the eldest of three children. In 1957, Dr. App started college at Georgetown University in Washington DC, with the intention to study law. During his third year at Georgetown, Dr App was a victim of a car accident that changed the trajectory of his life. He told himself that if he survived, he would become a physician.He promised God that he would serve people no matter who they are or how much they could pay until he was no longer physically or mentally able. Due to the car accident, he graduated a year later than expected with his brother Jonathan App in 1962. Dr. App went on to medical school at Temple University School of Medicine in Philadelphia, PA. During his third year of medical school, he did an away rotation at Mayo Clinic. There he met his wife, Margo Maryland, and married in 1965. He and Margo moved to Grand Rapids Michigan to start his internal medicine internship July of 1966. In 1967, during the Vietnam War, Dr. App was called to duty by the Navy. He was released from active duty in June 1970. However, he continued work one weekend a month in reserve duty until 1996, whereby he was discharged with distinction as a Commander.  Given his experience in working with the naval families, rather than Internal Medicine, Dr. App decided to become a Family Practioner upon his return to Grand Rapids. Before he started his solo practice, he served as the first medical director of St. Mary’s Hospital Emergency Department. Dr. App developed a very large solo practice that expanded to a large group practice while at the same time would have “side jobs” as he called them. These side jobs included being a coroner, an officer in the Kent County Medical Society, Michigan State Medical Society, and Michigan Association of Family Medicine; doing sports physicals for several Catholic schools, starting the student medical center at Aquinas and their part-time physician, the Medical Director of River Valley Recovery Center and being the ring side doctor at Golden Glove boxing matches. Dr. App took care of thousands of families and delivered 4000 babies before retiring in 2014 after forty-eight years of practice. Dr. App was a devout Catholic. As a parishioner of St. Alphonsus, he loved to be a lector at mass. He joined the Knights of Columbus and was a Fourth Degree Knight. The last few years of his life he was lovingly cared for in the home of his son and daughter-in-law, Drs. Michael and Colleen App. 

Chester became a First Degree Knight on August 14, 2016, with the Saint Alphonsus-Seelos Council #15495. He was a Veteran of the United States Navy and was a very active volunteer with the Saint Alphonsus Parish Food Truck. He is survived by his wife Barbara, his Children and Grand Children. 

Larry became a First Degree Knight on June 1, 1960. He received his Second and Third Degrees on June 24, 2012. He was a Veteran of the United States Navy. Larry was a very accomplished musician and wood carver. He and Hefferan Family were a long time members of Saint Alphonsus Parish. He was preceded in death by his wife Marilyn and his survived by his Children, Grand Children and Great Grand Children. 

Brother Larry was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He married the former Patricia Fox in March of 1960. Their union would last Fifty Years until her death in 2010. Larry was the father of four sons and two daughters. His obituary, stated that Larry was known to be outspoken on many things during his life and was a fierce advocate for the labor movement. He was a very active Catholic, volunteering with the Catholic Prison Ministry and Saint Alphonsus Parish, in Grand Rapids. Larry was involved in the Healing Ministry and the Cursillo Ministry at Saint Alphonsus Parish. Larry became a First Degree Knight on July 1, 1982 with the Bishop Kevin Britt Council #8117 and transferred to the Saint Alphonsus-Seelos Council #15495, on February 3, 2012. He was predeceased by his wife Patricia and his daughter Joan Theresa Molter. Larry is survived by his children: George Bladey (Bonnie), John Ranazzi, James Ranazzi, Marie James (Dennis), Andrew Ranazzi (Deb) and many Grandchildren. 

Brother Arthur married the former Edith Schumaker in 1944. Their union would last Seventy Two Years. As Arthur told the story, he left to serve in the United States Army two days after marrying Edith. He served with Company A, of the 1255 Combat Engineers during World War II, serving in the Battle of the Bulge, in Belgium, France. Arthur left the United States Army in 1946 with the Rank of Private First Class. He was an avid gardener, who enjoyed growing sunflowers taller than he was. He became a First Degree Knight on November 1, 1953 with the Bishop Plagens Council #3104. He transferred to the Saint Alphonsus-Seelos Council #15495 0n May 9, 2012. Arthur achieved his Second and Third Degree Knight-hoods on January 25, 2015 with the Saint Alphonsus-Seelos Council. He is survived by his wife Edith and their children: Dennis & Linda Zahm, Elaine & Greg Childs, Rosalyn Kaiser, Bernie & Julie Zahm and many Grandchildren.

Brother Donald was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan to Joe and Olive Frei-burger. He served his country in World War II with the Navy aboard the U.S.S. Randolph CV-15. Don married the former Dorothy Simon and raised seven children. He spent 14 years as a Grand Rapids Firefighter, before forming the Freiburger Construction Company. He was also the owner of the Hanky Panky Party Store. Don became a First Degree Knight on June 3, 2014 with Council #15495. Although he was not able to attend the meetings or events, he loved to receive the council emails and newsletters. Don is survived by his children: Linda & Ken Mork, Maggie & Bob Vugteveen, Jim & Gayle Freiburger, Don Freiburger, Jr., Bob & Marsha Freiburger and Rich & Kim Freiburger.

ST. ALPHONSUS SEELOS COUNCIL 15495