Father Robert G. Lynch passed away on Oct. 20, 2009 in Bronx, NY after having served as pastor to Our Lady of Peace, St. Anne’s and St Christopher’s Catholic churches for nineteen years.

Robert Lynch was born in Brooklyn, NY on Dec. 18, 1925. He was raised with four brothers and a sister, four of whom joined religious orders. He entered the Society of Jesus on Feb. 1, 1944. The 15-year Jesuit course of study he followed took him through four years at Hyde Park and on to West Baden, Ind., to pursue philosophy and a Master’s degree in English, which he taught, along with Latin, at Xavier High School in New York City for three years. He then completed four years of theology studies, with priestly ordination at the end of the third year in June of 1956. During the final year of his Jesuit course, Fr. Lynch engaged primarily in spiritual activities such as retreats. He spent a year in Dublin, Ireland, and relieved chaplains at Seventh Army Headquarters in Stuttgart, Germany. Fr. Lynch taught at St. Peter’s Prep School in Jersey City, NJ where in the summers he earned a second Master’s degree in Natural Science. He returned to Xavier High School to teach for another 25 years.

During the 1970’s Lynch traveled through Wyoming on a number of occasions and relieved various priests so they could take vacations. He requested permission to perform parish work in the state and was granted the opportunity to give it a try for three years. He arrived in Riverton in October of 1986 to assist the pastor, and was pastor in Glenrock for several years before arriving in Pinedale in 1989. He served Our Lady of Peace in Pinedale, St. Anne’s in Big Piney and St. Christopher’s in Eden until his retirement in 2008. Upon his retirement he returned to Murray-Weigel Hall in Bronx, NY, where after a short illness, he died peacefully.

We are so grateful that Father Lynch’s love of the Wyoming mountains and the great fishing opportunities lured him to our area. He may have been a great fisherman but also served God as a great “fisher of men.” He was a dedicated spiritual leader, friend and confidant, but mostly a kind and humble man. Most important to him was his relationship with God. He was obedient to his vocation as a priest and lived out his vow of poverty as he rarely indulged himself. Parishioners looked forward to his weekly spiritual reflections, “From the Pastor’s Desk.” His writings inspired and fed the congregation as did his Sunday homilies. He was a true disciple and a servant for all as he spread the Good News of Jesus Christ.

There was a Rosary and a memorial Mass for Father Lynch at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church on Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2009.

For the complete article see the 10-30-2009 issue.

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