Br. Robert Herman, C.PP.S. of the Kansas City Province died on October 11, 2010 at Our Lady of Mercy Country Home in Liberty, MO. He was born on July 8, 1931 in Cincinnati, OH to Edward and Emma (Grimminger) Herman. A resident of Springfield, OH from 1932 to 1954, Br. Robert graduated from Catholic Central High School in 1950. He entered the community in June, 1954 at St. Mary’s Novitiate in Burkettsville, OH. On August 15, 1956 he made Temporary Profession at the novitiate, followed by Final Profession on August 15, 1959 at St. Charles Seminary in Carthagena, OH.
From 1956 to 1965, Br. Robert served on the staff at St. Charles Seminary in Carthagena. He worked in the kitchen as a baker, in the front office, and in various other capacities. In 1965 he transferred to Brunnerdale Seminary in Canton, OH. The provincial at the time, Fr. John Byrne, C.PP.S., wrote in his letter of assignment: “It is said when you want a job done, look for a busy man. You have been one of my anchor men among the brothers at St. Charles. It is because of your grand personality, your exemplary spirit and your many talents that I spontaneously gravitate to you when I need assistance.”
Br. Robert served on the Disciplinary Staff at Brunnerdale until August of 1966, at which time he transferred to the newly-formed Kansas City Province and began his ministry at Precious Blood Seminary in Liberty, MO. During his time there he worked in the kitchen as a cook and a baker; outdoors mowing the lawns, landscaping and planting trees; and in the treasurer’s office. In 1977, he began a year-long Clinical Pastoral Education Program at Little Company of Mary Hospital in Evergreen Park, IL. He often spoke of this being a turning point in his life, one that expanded his horizons beyond his previous institutional ministries and helped him to recognize that he was capable of doing ministry that he once thought not possible for him.
In 1977, Br. Robert joined the pastoral team at Sacred Heart Parish in Sedalia, MO. In 1987, The Catholic Missourian ran a story featuring his ministry at Sacred Heart. He was referred to as the “nerve center” of the parish because of his numerous and varied work.
After his time in Sedalia, Br. Robert joined the formation staff in the college formation program, helping to manage the three houses next to Rockhurst University where the candidates lived with him and the other two directors. He served there until 1994, when he joined the pastoral staff at St. Charles Borromeo Parish in Gladstone, MO. Here he had a two-fold ministry: outreach to the elderly and homebound and emergency assistance to the needy, a ministry of care and compassion to people who are too often forgotten. Pastor Fr. John Wolf, C.PP.S. explained at the time: “Robert is not a leader, as many would describe leadership. He does not seek the limelight; in fact, he stays quite clear of it. But he plays a key role in the mission and ministry of the parish. In 2007, Br. Robert retired to Precious Blood Center in Liberty, MO where his ministry with the elderly and homebound continued.
The Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Wednesday, October 13, 2010 at St. James Parish in Liberty, MO, with Fr. James Urbanic, C.PP.S presiding and Fr. Michael Goode, C.PP.S. preaching. Burial followed at Resurrection Cemetery.