Tumbleweed the Clown: Peek inside the office of the Rev. John Naus
Think of the most bizarre profession for a priest to obtain and you are introduced to Marquette Jesuit the Rev. John Naus’ second half: Tumbleweed the Clown. Yes, you read correctly, the clown. Naus was the chaplain in Schroeder Hall for 28 years. During his time in Schroeder, he presided at a midnight mass in the dorm every Saturday to give students a chance to break away from college life and to reflect on their blessings.
One Saturday evening in 1972, the students, who were all well aware of Naus’ humorous antics, took up a collection after mass for a clown suit for Naus. They named him Tumbleweed, and his career took off from there. In his office, on the front of his desk is a wood carving with the signature “Tumbleweed S.J.” to signify his duo-life of a clown and Jesuit priest.
“As (Tumbleweed), I was on the Dan Rather CBS news one night, and I’ve been to Ringling Bros. clown school in Venice, Florida eight different times,” Father Naus said.
Father Naus was also given some funny looks when he tried to drive into Canada for a circus performance. “When I went through customs on my way to Toronto I was dressed as a priest and the people asked me what I had in the two suitcases in my backseat,” he said. “One has my clothes, the other is full of balloons. Yes, I make animals out of balloons. I can even make a dog with a hamburger in his stomach.”
Naus’ office is filled with random items — each one signifying something special to him. I asked him when he first started collecting figures of clowns, animals, action figures, along with pictures and certificates that lined the walls. He told me that he collected his first items in connection with clowning and it took off from there. The first thing I noticed was a quilt hanging from the wall, which one of his former students made for him. “It really meant a lot to me because someone took time out of their day to do something for me,” he said.
The quilt was just the beginning of the fun. There are three different zebras on his desk, all with multi-colored coats. With a smirk on his face, he admitted that those are his favorite kind of zebras. Behind his desk are framed pictures of him performing as Tumbleweed in different circus acts. Of course, the pictures include him with smiling children. Do you expect anything less? Whether he’s performing as a clown or celebrating mass, Naus brings joy to people and has been doing it for all his life.
Off on a side wall is a wooden paddle, which is given to Evans Scholars when they are activated. Because Naus was the faculty adviser the Evans House, he was given a paddle of his own. Below that is the Evans House composite picture, which features a picture of every scholar at Marquette. Then, next to that is a talking parrot doll that used to repeat what you would say. Naus joked that he and the parrot had a lot in common until the parrot’s voice box went out.
Over on a ledge of other toys and dolls is a picture of a soldier. The man was a Marquette student and a regular at Tuesday night mass back in the 1980s. He was tragically killed in shooting practice as a member of the CIA. The man’s parents knew about their son’s connection with Naus and asked him to celebrate mass at the man’s funeral. Although Naus thought it was going to be difficult, he said, “I agreed to do the mass because it was about that family, not me. When I say mass I want people to listen and hear the word of God, but at that funeral, I just wanted people to reflect on his life and pray for his loved ones.”
I waited until the last second to ask Naus about three pictures on his desk. I could tell by where they were placed in his office that they had significant meaning. One picture is of a woman, one is of a man, and the last one is of the man and woman together. The two people are his parents. He said they are the reason he is the person he is today. He compliments his dad for his sense of humor and his mom for her loving, compassionate nature.
Sure, he is a clown and a priest, and he has more toys than a toddler, but Naus could be an inspiration to anyone … just look in his office.
Tags: clown, comedy, father naus, humor, jesuit, john naus, priest, tumbleweed
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