June 1, 1909 – June 24, 1998
In the early 1970’s as Fr. Putz approached his retirement years, he became very interested in 'third agers.' He saw life as a chain with three links: the age of learning, the age of earning, and the age of returning. He chose to focus on the third age because it is that time in life when there is the opportunity to give back one’s knowledge, talent, and experience in service to others.
Likewise, he believed that “service adds years to your life and life to your years” and that “isolation is the greatest malady of older adults.”
Fr. Putz’s beliefs sowed the seeds then for his vision of a school for seniors where students could come together for the pure joy of learning, for interaction with each other, and for their own ongoing personal and spiritual development. Additionally, this school would have well qualified teachers who would serve without pay. Thus, on May 24, 1974, he assembled his first advisory group to flesh out the mission, goals, and structure of the school.
1974: FLI opened its doors at the novitiate for the Sisters of St. Joseph, 107 South Greenlawn Avenue
1979: FLI moved to the vacant St. Patrick’s Grade School, 308 S. Scott Street
2006: FLI moved to Little Flower Parish Center, 54191 Ironwood Road (current location)