Jesuit Father Patrick J. Boyle, 90, died Oct. 25 in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin.

Born in Chicago, he studied for two years at Loyola University Chicago before entering the Society of Jesus in 1950. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Latin and philosophy and a master’s degree in sociology from Loyola before being ordained in 1963. He later earned a doctorate in theology from Marquette University in Milwaukee. He also held licentiates in philosophy and theology.

He taught at Loyola Academy in Wilmette (1957-1960) and was an assistant high school principal in Ohio before becoming a U.S. Army chaplain and serving in Vietnam (1968-1971).

When Father Boyle returned to the Chicago Province, he was the director of the Jesuit Retreat League at Bellarmine Jesuit Retreat House, Barrington (1971-1983). He then worked at Loyola University Chicago for a year.

From 1984 to 2021, Father Boyle taught moral theology at the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary. In 2021, he moved to the St. Camillus Jesuit Community in Wauwatosa.

Jesuit Father Robert Wild, former Chicago provincial, knew Father Boyle for more than 50 years and said that while he looked like a “tough guy,” he cared very much for the people he ministered to, whether they were students, seminarians or soldiers.

“When he was a paratrooper-chaplain in several forward-fire bases during the Vietnam conflict, Pat was there for his guys, risking his life in hot action to defend and care for the wounded and dying,” Father Wild said. “He was, I believe, one of the most decorated chaplains in the Vietnam War (two Silver Stars and a Bronze Star). And at Mundelein Seminary, where he taught moral theology for many years, his students very much appreciated his efforts to make that part of the course down to earth and practical.”