By Rebecca Goodman
The Cincinnati Enquirer

The Rev. Eugene L. Watrin, a Jesuit missionary to the Kingdom of Nepal, began his days at 5:30 a.m. with an hour of prayer followed by saying Mass at 6:30.

Before he was finished, the needy from far-away villages were lining up for food, clothing, shelter or medical care.

Father Watrin - sometimes called the "Angel of Kathmandu" - then began a long day's work finding relief for them.

Known for riding his bicycle nearly everywhere he went, Father Watrin was a legendary figure in Nepal. An educator and social worker, he arranged for mobile clinics to bring medical care to villages, started training programs for women and founded St. Xavier's College - the first Catholic college in the country.

When Father Watrin found out he had pancreatic cancer, he came home last year to the United States for chemotherapy.

"Doctors told him the chemotherapy might only prolong his life for a few months, but he opted to undergo this treatment in hope of doing more work for the people whom he loved in Nepal," said the Rev. Gerald C. Drinane, a fellow American missionary in Nepal. "He surprised the doctors (by) living longer than expected. But he didn't surprise those of us who knew him."

Father Watrin died Sunday at B&B Hospital in Kathmandu. The Dayton, Ohio, native was 83.

Forty-seven percent of Nepal's children are malnourished and medical care is almost nonexistent there. Father Watrin spent most of his career trying to alleviate the suffering of the Nepalese.

He received a bachelor's degree in English literature from Xavier University in Cincinnati in 1943 and a master's in English literature from Loyola University in Chicago in 1947.

That year he traveled to northern India, where he completed training in Hindi language studies and taught for three years at St. Xavier's School in Jaipur.

He took his theology studies at St. Mary's College in Kurseong, India, and was ordained a priest there in 1952.

In 1955 Nepal's royal family invited a group of Jesuit missionaries to open and run schools in the kingdom. Father Watrin was among them.

He remained there for the rest of his life.

"Besides the many facilities and activities he created at downtown Kathmandu Center, Gene helped the alumni and alumnae to reach out to the villages through education and house-building," said Drinane. "He was a gracious host to any and all. He started some cottage industries for the unemployed and women. He was always cheerful and very positive in his approach to the poor and needy."

In order to enhance his ministry, Father Watrin returned to the States to earn a master's of education in guidance and counseling from Loyola University in 1972.

In 2001, Nepal's prime minister presented him with the Tulasi Meher Social Service Award. In 2003, the king of Nepal presented him with the Trishakti Patta, an award for distinguished service in education and social work.

Father Watrin came to Cincinnati early last year for chemotherapy and returned to Nepal in October.

Survivors include a sister, Helen Klohe of Loveland.

A memorial Mass will be celebrated in Cincinnati at an undetermined date and location in May. Father Watrin was buried in Nepal.

Memorials: Jesuit International Missions or Jesuit Partnership, 2059 N. Sedgwick St., Chicago, IL 60614.

E-mail rgoodman@enquirer.com