Reverend Robert Rhyner
Reverend Robert E. Rhyner entered eternal life on Wednesday, June 29, 2022, at the age of 88. Father Bob was born on July 29, 1933, in New London, Wisconsin, to John and Mary (Peot) Rhyner. He attended high school and junior college at Mt. Calvary. He then went to St. Francis Seminary, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy and his Master’s in Divinity. Bishop Stanislaus V. Bona ordained him on May 23, 1959, at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral, Green Bay.
Father Bob’s first priestly appointment was as Associate Pastor of Holy Family Parish, Elcho. Shortly after he was appointed Associate Pastor of St. Agnes Parish, Green Bay for six years. In 1965 he was named Associate Pastor of St. Pius X Parish, Appleton for four years. He was then appointed as Associate Pastor of St. Joseph Parish, Sturgeon Bay for one year and Pastor of St. Joseph Parish, Phlox up to 1971. It was at this time he was appointed Pastor of St. Luke Parish, Two Rivers, where he served for 14 years. As he entered his 25th year of service in 1984, he was named Pastor of Holy Martyrs of Gorcum Parish, Green Bay. In 1991 he was appointed Temporary Administrator at St. Philip the Apostle Parish, Green Bay. As he went into his 44th year of God’s work, 2003 he was named Associate Pastor of Holy Martyrs of Gorcum Parish, Green Bay and in 2004 he served as Associate Pastor of Prince of Peace Parish, Green Bay until he received senior priest status in 2008 after 49 years of service.
As a senior priest he helped in many parishes, and especially enjoyed offering Mass for the Hmong community at Saint Jude Parish in Green Bay. And he is remembered and beloved as a hospital chaplain for Saint Vincent and St Mary Hospital.
Outside of his appointments, Fr. Bob participated in many organizations to show God’s work in all aspects of daily life. One of his most cherished groups was the National Marriage Encounter where he served as the Executive Clergy along with many other roles. He was a Chaplain for the Knights of Columbus Council 4505, Green Bay and the State Chaplain for the Catholic Order of Foresters. Another group close to his heart was the New Community Shelter in Green Bay where he served on the board.
He is survived by his brother, Jack Rhyner; five nephews: Mike Rhyner, Patrick (Ana) Rhyner, Joe (Peggy) Rhyner, Peter (Sue) Rhyner, and Ted (Lara) Rhyner; five nieces: Mary Ellen (Mike) DeSantis, Carol Rhyner, Mary (Tim) Gardner, Anne (Rob) Chin, Kate (Tim) Verheyen. Of which one is the favorite niece at any given time.
Fr. Bob was preceded in death by his parents, John and Mary (Peot) Rhyner, Brothers and Sisters-in-laws: Richard and Mary (Janey) Rhyner, Roger and Grace Rhyner, and Nancy Rhyner.
The vigil for Father Robert Rhyner will be Friday, July 8, from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral, 140 S. Monroe Ave. Parish wake service 7:30 pm Friday. Visitation will continue at The Cathedral on Saturday, July 9, from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. The Funeral Liturgy, expressing our faith and our hope in the promised glory of the Lord’s Resurrection, will follow at 11:00 a.m. with Most Rev. David Ricken as Celebrant. Burial will follow the Mass at Allouez Catholic Cemetery. In lieu of floral expressions a memorial fund has been established in his name. Online condolences may be sent to Fr. Bob’s family at www.prokowall.com. To watch the funeral Mass live on Saturday please go to: www.sfxcathedralgb.com and select live stream.
In his words, I am TREmendous.