On Oct. 1 Iona College learned of the death of a long-time teacher and dedicated Christian Brother Robert A. Durning. Durning, 64, passed away at Holy Name Hospital in Teaneck, New Jersey from a brain hemorrhage.

Upon hearing the news of Durning’s passing, many students expressed great sadness at the loss of a beloved faculty member and mentor.

“When I think of Iona, I think of Br. Durning,” said senior Kim Pastore. “Whether it was a friendly three hour hello in the library, or his unforgettable stories in class, Br. Durning proved himself time and again as a loving, inspirational person whom you could always count on.”

Durning began his long teaching career at Christian Brothers High School in Boston while completing graduate work at Boston College and Harvard Divinity School. After serving as a school administrator at a high school in Newark, N.J., Durning studied theology at The Catholic University of America in Washington D.C. and was eventually transferred to teach theology at Iona in 1980.

Durning taught a wide range of classes in the Religious Studies Department as well as courses in Latin and Greek in addition to Honors Humanities. Aside from instructing students in the classroom, Durning was an active professor in the Study Abroad program, teaching in Rome for 14 summers and in Paris for two summers. He also served as a moderator of the Men’s Water Polo team for 20 years and of the Iona College Rugby Team for five years, as well as an advisor to many fraternities at Iona.

Durning retired from his position as a professor in the Religious Studies Department at Iona at the conclusion of the spring 2012 semester.

“Brother Durning was one of the most caring and intelligent teachers I have ever had,” said senior Andrew Hastings. “His memory will live on in every student he had taught or affected in his time here. A great teacher and an even better man outside of the classroom.”

In addition to students, fellow teachers and Christian Brothers are reflecting on the strong legacy Durning has left at Iona. “It is a sad day for Iona. Br. Durning was such a big part of it. He absolutely loved teaching and helping students,” said Physics Professor and Department Chair Brother Robert Novak. “His teaching and those whom he helped were the most important part of his life. His presence in the classroom and on campus is very much missed.”

For members of the Iona community who wish to pay their respects to Brother Durning, the wake will be held on Oct. 5 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the Thomas J. Burke Lounge in Spellman Hall, located on Iona’s New Rochelle campus.

The funeral mass will be held on Oct. 6 at 9:30 a.m. at Holy Family Church, located at 83 Clove Road in New Rochelle.