R.I.P. Father Bacher

My former priest at my old church passed away last Saturday. My parents, sister, and grandparents went on Thursday to see him lie in state. He was such a great man. He will be greatly missed. The Rev. Monsignor Robert E. Bacher The Reverend Monsignor Robert E. Bacher The Reverend Monsignor, Pastor, Saint George Parish, in Clinton died on Saturday, April 12, 2008, at Akron City Hospital, after having received the prayerful support and consolation of the Sacraments. Robert Edward Bacher was born on February 17, 1924, in Akron. His parents were the late Andrew and Hilda (nee Newhome) Bacher. He was educated at Saint Martha Grade School, Akron, Saint Charles Seminary High School and College in Catonsville, Maryland, and Saint Mary Seminary in Cleveland. On May 22, 1948, Bishop Edward F. Hoban ordained him to the priesthood in the Cathedral of Saint John the Evangelist for the service of the Diocese of Cleveland. His first assignment was as assistant at Saint Aloysius Parish, Cleveland. On September 1, 1954, Father Bacher became a professor at Borromeo Minor Seminary, Wickliffe. On January 8, 1959, he was appointed Vice Rector of Borromeo Seminary High School. On July 28, 1961, he became Rector of the High School Seminary. Monsignor Bacher completed that assignment on June 9, 1971, and was appointed Chairman of the Diocesan Committee on Continuing Education for Priests. On May 6, 1972, he was named Executive Secretary of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops' Committee on Priestly Formation in Washington, D.C. On September 1, 1976, he returned to Cleveland and received the appointment of Rector of Saint Mary Seminary, Cleveland. On January 8, 1985, he became pastor of Saint Peter the Apostle Parish, Brook Park. He served at the parish until December 1, 1987, when he became President of Saint Luke Institute, Suitland, Maryland. On January 1, 1992, he returned to the Diocese where he was appointed to the pastorate of Saint George Parish, Clinton. Monsignor Bacher was serving in that capacity at the time of his death. From 1980 through 1986, Monsignor Bacher served as a Canonical Consultor. From 1986 through 1987, he served as Dean of the Cuyahoga County Suburban Southwest Deanery. From 1995 through 2000, he served as a member of the College of Consultors. In recognition of his many achievements, His Holiness Pope John XXIII appointed him a Papal Chamberlain on 10 March 1960. His Holiness Pope John Paul XXIII subsequently elevated him to the rank of a Domestic Prelate on January 20, 1962. The wake will begin on Wednesday, April 16, at the Dunn Quigley Funeral Home, 811 Grant Street, Akron from 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The wake will begin on Thursday, April 17, at Saint George Parish, Clinton with the singing of Vespers at 3:00 p.m. and will continue until 9:00 p.m. On Friday, April 18, the Reception of the Body will take place at 9:30 a.m. at St. Francis de Sales Parish, 4019 Manchester Road, Akron. The Funeral Mass will begin there at 11:00 a.m. with the Most Reverend Richard G. Lennon as the principal celebrant. Reverend Edward T. Estok, Jr. will be the homilist. Burial will take place in All Saints Cemetery, Northfield.