A man many American Catholics may not have heard of — but whose work shed new light on their lives and practices — passed away over the weekend.

From the National Catholic Reporter:

Dean Hoge, an unparalleled figure in the field of sociology of religion who spent decades studying American Catholics, especially the priesthood, died Sept. 13 after a lengthy bout with cancer. He was 71 years old.

“While he was first and foremost a scholar, I’d have to say that I don’t know of a person who was more a Christian throughout his life,” said friend and colleague, William D’Antonio, who worked in recent years with Hoge at Catholic University’s Life Cycle Institute. “He was a shy person, but treated others with an easy grace as he attempted to live the Gospel.”

Hoge, D’Antonio, along with sociologists James Davidson and Ruth Wallace, authored surveys of American Catholicism that tracked changes in Catholic practices and beliefs in the wake of the Second Vatican Council.

In all, four surveys appeared in the National Catholic Reporter beginning in 1987 and were repeated every six years through 2005.

“The Catholic University of America has lost a scholar, a colleague, and friend in the death of Dean Hoge,” said Vincentian Fr. David M. O’Connell, president of Catholic University. “It is difficult to imagine the Catholic University of America without Dean Hoge. His presence and remarkable scholarly work has been a fixture here for over three decades.

O’Connell described Hoge as “gentle and unassuming” saying his “kindness, respect for others and collaborative efforts leave a space that will be hard to fill.”

D’Antonio said that Hoge will be remembered most by Catholics for his groundbreaking studies of the Catholic priesthood. “No one has done more than Hoge to understand the priesthood.” D’Antonio called Hoge’s priesthood studies, including, “The First Five Years of the Priesthood,” in 2002, very important sociological works.

Hoge pursued sociological research on American churches for more than 34 years, having written 25 books and numerous articles on American religious life.

A graduate of the divinity and graduate schools of Harvard University, Hoge joined the faculty of Catholic University of America in 1974 where during and after his retirement from full-time service, his teaching and research earned him a reputation as one of the nation’s preeminent experts in the sociology of religion.

The director of the university’s Life Cycle Institute from 1999 until 2004, Hoge’s name and work have been associated with some of the most significant national studies and research conducted on a host of topics and trends within the Catholic Church.

Among his most recent works are three books, Evolving Visions of the Priesthood (co-authored with Jaqueline E. Wenger, 2003), Experiences of Priests Ordained Five to Nine Years (2006), and American Catholics Today (2007) .

Hoge also published over 100 articles and chapters of books. Earlier this year, Hoge was awarded the Pope John Paul II Seminary Leadership Award.

Hoge was married and the father of two children and a grandfather of four.

A memorial service is being planned for Sept. 27 at 2:30 p.m. at the Takoma Park Presbyterian Church in Takoma Park, Maryland.