Father Robert Bernard
Reppen, O. Praem., age 90, a member of the Norbertine Community of St.
Norbert Abbey, De Pere, WI, entered into God’s eternal kingdom on Friday,
November 20, 2009.
Father Reppen was born on
May 25, 1919, in
Arcadia
,
WI
, to Joseph Reppen and Aurelia (Morrissey) Reppen.
His home parish was St. James Parish,
Rockford
,
IL
.
Father Reppen attended
St. Norbert High School, De Pere, WI, and Holy Cross Seminary, Notre Dame,
IN. He received a B.A. degree in
Philosophy from
St.
Norbert
College
,
De Pere
,
WI
. Father Reppen attended
graduate school at Loyola University, Chicago, IL, and Temple University,
Philadelphia, PA.
On August 28, 1940, Father Reppen entered St.
Norbert Abbey where he was vested as a novice.
He professed Simple Vows on August 28, 1942 and Solemn Vows on August
28, 1945. Father Reppen was
ordained to the Priesthood on June 15, 1946.
Father Reppen began his
ministry as a member of the faculty at Southeast Catholic High School,
Philadelphia, PA, and later at Central Catholic High School, Green Bay, WI,
and St. Norbert High School, De Pere, WI.
He served as Pastor to St. Willibrord Parish, Chicago, IL; Assistant
Pastor at St. John the Evangelist Parish, Essexville, MI; and as Associate
Pastor at St. Joseph Parish, Madison, WI.
Among his other ministries, Father Reppen was involved as Chaplain at
St. Joseph
’s
Mercy
Hospital
,
Mason City
,
IA
;
Leila
Hospital
and
Health
Center
,
Battle Creek
,
MI
; Holy Family Convent,
Manitowoc
,
WI
; and St. Anthony Medical Center,
Rockford
,
IL
.
Father Reppen is survived
by the members of the Norbertine Community;
one sister, Sister Dorothy Ann, Notre Dame, IN; two brothers: John
(Erma), Rockford, IL and William (Geraldine), Clinton, WI; sisters-in-law:
Anne (Daniel) Reppen, Doris (David) Reppen, Mary (Richard) Reppen; many
nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death
by his parents; four brothers: Daniel, David, Clifford (Lupe, dec.), and
Richard; two sisters: Sister Margaretta and Mary (James, dec.) Kelly.
