Father Richard P. Karenbauer

June 30, 2017 Last Updated: June 30, 2017 01:00 PM Death Notice

Father Richard P. Karenbauer, 74, retired priest of the Diocese of Greensburg, died Thursday at his home in Latrobe. Father Karenbauer had been a priest for 47 years.

Father Karenbauer was born in Butler on Dec. 31, 1942, to the late Paul and Marie Benson Karenbauer.

He attended the former St. Fidelis Seminary, Herman, where he earned a bachelor's degree in philosophy, and Saint Vincent Seminary, Latrobe, where he earned a master of divinity degree.

Father Karenbauer was ordained to the priesthood May 9, 1970, at Blessed Sacrament Cathedral, Greensburg, by Bishop William G. Connare.

Father Karenbauer served as parochial vicar of Our Lady of Grace Parish, Greensburg, from 1970 to 1971; St. Peter Parish, Brownsville, and its former chapel in Newell from 1973 to 1977; Holy Family Parish, Latrobe in 1977; Immaculate Conception Parish, Connellsville, and its former chapel in Dawson from 1977 to 1980; and the former St. Leonard Parish, Monessen from 1980 to 1982.

He was pastor of the former St. Hedwig Parish, Smock, and its former chapel in Keisterville from 1982 to 1985; Holy Family Parish, Seward, and its former chapels in New Florence and Bolivar from 1985 to 1986; the former Holy Cross Parish, Iselin from 1986 to 1987; the former St. Martha Parish, Leechburg from 1987 to 1997; St. Mary of Czestochowa Parish, New Kensington from 1997 to 2008; St. Joseph Parish, New Kensington from 2008 to 2010 and administrator of St. Mary of Czestochowa Parish and St. Florian Parish, United from 2010 to 2014.

He was a religion instructor at Greensburg Central Catholic High School in 1971 and Geibel Catholic High School, Connellsville in 1972.

Father Karenbauer was spiritual director of the diocese's Holy Name Society from 2006 to 2014, served on the Priestly Life and Ministry Committee and was the clergy moderator of the Regional Pastoral Council for the New Kensington-Lower Burrell region.

He retired from active ministry Jan. 23, 2014.

Surviving are five brothers, Robert (Barbara), Ronald (Diana), Larry (Jean), Kenneth (Jean) and Dennis Sr. (Lori) Karenbauer; two sisters, Judy (Richard) Kile and Bonnie (William) Giallombardo; a brother-in-law, Robert Murray; and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Darlene Murray, and a nephew, Jason Karenbauer.

KARENBAUER — Friends of Father Richard P. Karenbauer who died Thursday, May 25, 2017, will be received 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday and 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at Geibel Funeral Home, 201 E. Cunningham St., Butler.He will lay in state 9 to 11 a.m. Thursday at St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church, North Oakland. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Thursday from the church with Bishop Edward C. Malesic to officiate. Interment will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery.For more information, visit www.geibelfuneralhome.com.