Father Abts was one of the RMRA's most consistant members.
He was first licensed in 1988 at age 80. He held regular afternoon "scheds" on the 146.22/.82 repeater with W9GPT and other area Amateurs where he was known simply as "Clete".
He was born October 8th 1907, in Arcadia, Wisconsin. He attended Beloit College and St. Francis Seminary, Milwaukee. He was ordained February 2nd 1944.
His early parish assignments were in Shullsberg, Arcadia, and Wisconsin Rapids. In 1952 he was appointed administrator of St. Joseph Parish in Stevens Point.
Father Abts was transferred to Wausau in 1955 where under his direction, Newman High School was built. He also served as its first principal.
In 1958 he was appointed pastor at Holy Name Parish also in Wausau and was in charge of construction of the current church. In 1969 he was transferred to St. Joseph's Parish in Stratford. His last assignment was as pastor of St. Agnes Parish in Callon for 1972 to 1975. In 1975 he retired to his Tomahawk home on Muskellunge Lake. It was fondly referred to as "St. Cletus Parish" by his friends.
Father Abts served 26 years in military service, six as an enlisted man before entering the seminary. He rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, and served as Division Chaplain of the 32nd Infantry Division. He served on active duty for the National Guard stationed at Ft. Lewis, Washington, in 1961-62, before returning to Holy Name.
He died June 30th, 2001 at age 93.
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