"I was a violin teacher at the Abbey. Father Ambrose was a wonderful pianist. I remember playing the Brahms Horn Trio and the Ravel Piano Trio in a minor with him He mastered the difficult music technically well and added extremely fine and sensitive interpretations.. I will aways be grateful him. And yes, he was always kind."
In loving memory of
Robert Wolverton
May 4, 1930 - March 6, 2016
Father Ambrose was born Robert Wolverton in Mason City, Iowa, on May 4, 1930, the son of Milton and (Anna) Fern Wolverton. He first left the Midwest to attend Phillips Exeter Academy in 1947-49. In 1949, he entered Harvard College, from which he earned his A.B. degree magna cum laude in 1953. Having served in the ROTC at Harvard, he joined the US Navy to become a communications officer on the USS Leyte, an aircraft carrier, with the rank of lieutenant, j.g. After his service, he taught Latin and music at the Choate School from 1956-1958. Mr. Wolverton entered the then Portsmouth Priory and received the religious name Ambrose, being solemnly professed a monk on September 29, 1962. He was ordained a priest in 1965. In his work in the Abbey school he devotedly taught music and English and chaired the music department from 1961 until his retirement in 2012. He also served as Housemaster of St. Bedes dormitory from 1973-1991. He was an accomplished classical pianist and gave much-anticipated annual concerts for the school and guests. He served as the Abbeys organist and cantor, leading the Gregorian chant, until the day before he died. As music director in the school, he guided the various singing groups, including one he allowed to called themselves "The Wolvertones." Fr. Ambrose was a very quiet and kind man. As a spiritual guide and mentor, he was sought out by hundreds of those who, over the years, would come or write to him for counseling and healing love. Asked about his philosophy of life, he quoted an English proverb: "The heart that gives, gathers." Fr. Ambrose leaves a sister, Silvia Schmidt, of Madison, Wisconsin, to whom he was a beloved and devoted brother, as well as a saddened and grateful community at Portsmouth Abbey and School. Please help us pray for his eternal happiness. The funeral Mass will be held in the Abbey Church on Thursday, March 10th at 10am with burial following in the Abbey cemetery. Cemetery Details Portsmouth Cemetery Turnpike Ave Portsmouth, RI, 02871
Tributes
"I knew Fr. Ambrose since I was 12 years year old with my two sisters Meg and Jane Acheson He will be sadly missed by all especially his wonderful knowledge of music and teaching My father taught at the Abbey many years ago I always felt safe at the Abbey with the monks who always had time for us especially Fr. Ambrose I will light a candle for him Felicity Acheson-Fenton"
"What a soft spoken kind man"
"I am so sorry to see that my old friend Fr Ambrose passed. My brief time working at the Abbey with the Campus Safety Office in 2001 I would meet Father in his "office": where his piano would be. I would know he was there because at times I would smell the aroma of popcorn. When he'd walk in the cold nights to the Admin Bldg I'd be watching from a distance to make sure he made it safely. We had a number of "talks" as we both would walk together in the evening while I did my rounds. I can honestly say that for this retire policeman and at times spiritual questioner I truly loved him. I pray he is there to make sure I make it in...I know the music in heaven just got better.Michael E. Allen"
"Father Ambrose was such a kind hearted person. He always kept in touch with my Mother and Father. You will be truly missed by all. May you rest in eternal peace with the Lord. You will never be forgotten."
"To All the Community at the Abbey and to Fr. Ambrose's Family, I send my deepest sympathy and prayers. During my many years at St. Philomena School and Convent, I had many opportunities to share with Fr. Ambrose and am so grateful for those times. He was such a gentle, kind man always willing to help and to share his many gifts. His good example did so much good and his memory will live on in all of us who had the joy of sharing life with him. Now he will enjoy the fullness of life with the Lord whom he served so well. May he rest in peace. Sr. Ann Marie Walsh, fcJ Calgary, Alberta, Canada"
"Father Ambrose will truly be missed, he officiated our wedding when we got married back in 1982 and every year after we always recieved an anniversary and Christmas card from him asking how we were doing and how he always had us in his prayers. Such a kind, gentle and wonderful man. He shall always have a place in our hearts. May he rest in peace."
"The Abbey community has lost a wonderful priest and a kind and loving man. I had the pleasure to see Father almost everyday and I can not remember a single time that he did not make time to speak to us all and was always concerned for what was going on in our lives. I mentioned to him how much I loved the piano and that afternoon he was kind enough to give me a cassette of piano music by a friend of his, a Mr. Leonard Pagaggio.That gift of music was given to me several years ago, and I will play it often to keep Father's memory with me always. Father Ambrose also had a sweet tooth. He loved butterscotch sundaes with caramel sauce. I was privileged to make them for him. He was always so grateful. Father Ambrose you will never be forgotten. We will all keep you in our hearts and prayers in same way you did for all of us. Rest in Peace Father, you have earned it.Jane ChristensenPAS Dining Services"