Virgil C. Dechant

Virgil C. Dechant GCPO GCSG KHS (September 24, 1930 – February 15, 2020) was the twelfth Supreme Knight of the Knights of Columbus, a position he held from January 21, 1977, to September 30, 2000.^[1]

Virgil Dechant GCPO GCSG KHS
12th Supreme Knight of the Knights of Columbus
Church	Catholic Church
Installed	January 21, 1977 (1977-01-21)
Term ended	September 30, 2000 (2000-09-30)
Predecessor	John W. McDevitt
Successor	Carl A. Anderson
Personal details
Born	(1930-09-24)September 24, 1930 Antonino, Kansas, U.S.
Died	February 15, 2020(2020-02-15) (aged 89) Leawood, Kansas, U.S.
Denomination	Roman Catholic
Spouse	Ann L. Dechant
Children	4

Biography

Dechant was born September 24, 1930, in Antonino, Ellis County, Kansas, and lived in Leawood, Kansas. His ancestors were German-Russians from the Mariental region. He and his wife Ann L. Dechant had four children and 12 grandchildren.

Prior to joining the Knights of Columbus in 1967 in the role of Supreme Secretary, Dechant worked as a farmer and a farm equipment salesperson. He also owned a car dealership.^[2]

Dechant served as the vice president of the Vatican Bank, a Gentleman of His Holiness, and a Councillor on the State Council for Vatican City.

He had the honor of escorting President George W. Bush to the funeral of Pope John Paul II.^[3]

Dechant stepped down as Supreme Knight of the Knights of Columbus on September 30, 2000, at the age of seventy after serving the longest term ever by a Supreme Knight. He was succeeded by Carl A. Anderson.^[4]

Dechant died on February 15, 2020, at the age of 89.^[2]

Distinctions

• Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Pope Pius IX
• Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St. Gregory the Great
• Knight of Magistral Grace of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta
• Knight of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem
• Cross of Merit with Gold Star of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem
• National Right to Life award along with Senator Jesse Helms (1998)
• Gaudium and Spes Medal of the Knights of Columbus

References

1. "Knights of Columbus: 125 Years in Review –1970s". Retrieved January 14, 2013.
2. "Virgil Dechant, long-serving KofC Supreme Knight, dies at 89". Catholic World Report. February 16, 2020. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
3. "Dechant, Virgil C." Center for Volga German Studies. Archived from the original on January 1, 2020. Retrieved January 1, 2020.
4. Dame, Marketing Communications: Web // University of Notre. "Carl A. Anderson // Under Caesar's Sword // University of Notre Dame". Under Caesar's Sword. Retrieved January 2, 2020.

Religious titles
Preceded by John W. McDevitt	Supreme Knight of the Knights of Columbus 1977-2000	Succeeded by Carl A. Anderson