Richard Paul Rohrer

September 05, 1952 - July 14, 2019

Obituary For Richard Paul Rohrer

Glory to Jesus Christ!

My name is Father Iouri Koslovskii, and I have the unfortunate duty to address all of you, fr. Rick’s friends, from His Facebook page, with the notice of His passing into the House of the Lord. He died on Sunday night, July 14, at 10:35 PM Kyiv Time (3:35 PM EDT).

For many of us, Father Rick was so much more than just a Facebook friend. He was a person who always left a mark on the soul of the people that he befriended. With his sincerity, love, intentionality to help and serve, honesty, openness, knowledge, and spiritual integrity he entered lives of so many of us like an angel of God’s calm and simple power.

His last dream was that of transferring to Ukraine and working on Project Rachel (post-abortion reconciliation ministry). His trip to Ukraine two weeks ago was arduous. After a nine hours flight to Prague, there was no other option but to take a bus into Ukraine, which takes about 17 hours. He was then detained at the border and spent 12 hours sorting out the situation. I was allowed to pick him up late at night, and when I met him at the gate of the facility, I expected to see a tired and exhausted man after several days of sleepless trials. Instead, I was met with this big smile on his face and a spring in his step. Something, I didn’t see in him for years. And it was not just an expression of the end of challenging adventures. It was happiness for having arrived at the place that he longed for in years.

His last day was the day of the Lord, Sunday. He celebrated a beautiful liturgy in the morning. After lunch, even though it was raining heavily and the temperatures were low, we took a trip together with my family to Stradch, a place of pilgrimage outside Lviv, where monks inhabited caverns since the twelfth century. We visited the church and the graves of the many people who chose to be buried there entrusting their souls to the everlasting prayers of the monks. The same mount became a place of martyrdom for members of our Church at the hand of Soviet soldiers in 1941. We came back to the facility where we attended a dance competition of our students and then during the little dancing night that followed. He asked one of our teachers to a dance. Finished it, bowed and with a smile on his face collapsed to the ground.

If you knew him, you would know how much he appreciated dancing. Two days ago, he was preaching at the vespers inviting everyone to learn to dance, because otherwise, you will be bored in heaven (Psalms 149:3). The lady that danced with him last said that he probably never realized what happened to him and just kept dancing on, but in front of the Heavenly Altar.

Services are pending at this time. We will update this site when services are confirmed.

Services

30 Jul

Funeral Service

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

St. Michael the Archangel R.C. Church 810 High House Road CARY, NC 27513 Get Directions »

by Obituary Assistant

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Condolences

September 01, 2020

cortland hunt

Rest In Peace my friend. I had the pleasure knowing Richard Rick in High School and working with him at the Tecumseh Herald. Rick was always happy and smiling that is how I will always remember him. Cortland HuntHutto, TX
September 01, 2020

MG W

Fr Rick walked the roads of this earth with Jesus, Our Lord. His heart beat with the Heart of Christ. I am with great hope that he just kept walking right into the eternal beatitude and now enjoys the fullness of everlasting Life in Him! Pray for us dear Father Rick!
September 01, 2020

Joseph Richard Smolenski

Sent a gift in memory of Richard Paul Rohrer
September 01, 2020

Dan Barton

Rev Father Richard brought me into the Catholic Church from Eastern Orthodoxy, and I very much appreciated his Divine Liturgies there in Cary (a 75-mile one way drive for me). I was especially pleased that he encouraged my devotion to the Immaculate Conception of the BVM - which is on the internet as "Defense of the Immaculate Conception." Father, God bless your soul, and RIP. Daniel Barton, Fayetteville NC
September 01, 2020

Claude Shiver

St. Sharbel Maronite Catholic Community in Raleigh is sadden to hear of the passing of our friend Father Rick. We got to know Father Rick when our community first started as a mission using the chapel at Cardinal Gibbons High School. Father Rick would offer to assist when Father Joe Thomas was unavailable to have mass for our community. As soon as his service was finished he would rush over from Cary and would have mass for us. The things we will remember the most about Father Rick was his smile, his kindness, his wonderful laugh, and his easy going personality. Today's service at St. Sharbel was offered in memory of Father Rick. Our condolences and prays go out to the family of Father Rick. Sub-Deacon Claude Shiver
September 01, 2020

Donata Guerra

Deepest condolences to the family of Fr. Rick, a saintly priest who embodied kindness, hospitality, welcome, and above all joy. I will miss seeing Fr. Rick out and about in Cary and Raleigh, NC where he made himself part of the community, not only the Catholic one, but that of those who loved the arts, gourmet cooking, and events where people enjoyed each other's company. Knowing of his connection to the larger world in Italy, Ukraine, and other cultures was another delight. May this great man enjoy eternity standing with the Resurrected Christ...