The Rev. Ralph C. Pansza, C.M., religious superior of the Vincentian Fathers and Brothers community on Kenmore Avenue and the associate vice president for information services at DePaul University, died suddenly Friday morning, Feb. 14.

Father Pansza, 55, came to DePaul in 1984 to serve as the acting director of information systems. He became director of the department in 1985 and was responsible for planning and implementation of DePaul's computer support systems. "He had a great passion for serving DePaul," said Helmut Epp, vice president for information services. "He was brilliant, a superb technologist who truly understood the technical and human needs of the university."

Father Pansza was also a member of the corporation of DePaul.

A native of San Antonio, Texas, Father Pansza joined the Congregation of the Mission (Vincentians) in 1961 and took his final vows in 1963. He was ordained to the priesthood in 1968. He received his bachelor's degree in philosophy from St. Mary's Seminary in Perryville, Mo., in 1964, and a master's in philosophy from the Catholic University of America in 1969. He also received a master's of divinity from De Andreis Seminary in Lemont, Ill., in 1984.

Father Pansza was elected religious superior in July 1996.

"Father Pansza was a rare gift to DePaul and the people the university serves," said the Rev. John T. Richardson, C.M., DePaul's chancellor. "His mastery of the latest electronic methods of learning and communicating was framed in his dedication to Christian principles and a Vincentian love of those whose future he was helping to form."

Father Pansza was known in Lincoln Park for the beautiful flowers he cultivated at the Vincentian residence, and his display was a regular stop on the annual Sheffield Garden Walk.

"Ralph's sense of humor was unique," said the Rev. Thomas Croak, C.M., religious superior of the Vincentian community on Racine Avenue. "We will all miss his grin and his ability to laugh off the teasing he invariably invoked. Vincentians only tease those they love."

He is survived by his mother, Lucia, of San Antonio, and two brothers, Anthony of Fairborne, Ohio, and Michael of San Antonio.

Friends may call Monday, Feb. 17, at St. Vincent's Church, 1010 W. Webster Ave., from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., with a wake service at 7:30 p.m. A Mass of the Resurrection is scheduled Tuesday, Feb. 18, at 10 a.m. at St. Vincent's. A committal service will follow at All Saints Cemetery Chapel, 700 N. River Road, Des Plaines.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Vincentian Endowment Fund at DePaul.