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Father Ambrose was born Robert Wolverton in Mason City, Iowa, on May 4, 1930, the son of Milton and (Anna) Fern Wolverton. He first left the Midwest to attend Phillips Exeter Academy in 1947-49. In 1949, he entered Harvard College, from which he earned his A.B. degree magna cum laude in 1953. Having served in the ROTC at Harvard, he joined the US Navy to become a communications officer on the USS Leyte, an aircraft carrier, with the rank of lieutenant, j.g. After his service, he taught Latin and music at the Choate School from 1956-1958.
Mr. Wolverton entered the then Portsmouth Priory and received the religious name Ambrose, being solemnly professed a monk on September 29, 1962. He was ordained a priest in 1965. In his work in the Abbey school he devotedly taught music and English and chaired the music department from 1961 until his retirement in 2012. He also served as Housemaster of St. Bedes dormitory from 1973-1991. He was an accomplished classical pianist and gave much-anticipated annual concerts for the school and guests. He served as the Abbeys organist and cantor, leading the Gregorian chant, until the day before he died. As music director in the school, he guided the various singing groups, including one he allowed to called themselves "The Wolvertones."
Fr. Ambrose was a very quiet and kind man. As a spiritual guide and mentor, he was sought out by hundreds of those who, over the years, would come or write to him for counseling and healing love. Asked about his philosophy of life, he quoted an English proverb: "The heart that gives, gathers." Fr. Ambrose leaves a sister, Silvia Schmidt, of Madison, Wisconsin, to whom he was a beloved and devoted brother, as well as a saddened and grateful community at Portsmouth Abbey and School. Please help us pray for his eternal happiness.
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