Rev. Robert F. “Fr. Bob” Preisinger

Rev. Robert F. “Fr. Bob” Preisinger

December 26, 1938 – November 3, 2022

The Rev. Robert F. “Fr. Bob” Preisinger of Omaha, Nebraska, was born on December 26, 1938. He died on November 3, 2022, following a lengthy illness.

Born to parents Frank and Florence (Cornwell) Preisinger, Bob was their eldest and only son. The family was blest five and half years later when their youngest, a daughter baptized as Dolores, was born. The young family called South Omaha home, where they lived near the children’s paternal grandparents, who had raised a large family and were proud of their German Catholic heritage.

Father Preisinger once said, “There was nothing extraordinary about my call to the priesthood … no vision in a dream … no angel on my shoulder calling me … nothing really out of the ordinary.” He knew without a doubt his calling was a result of his Catholic background and education, as well as the support of his parents and pastor.

The Preisinger children attended Catholic grade school at Assumption Parish, where the School Sisters of Notre Dame taught them. Young Bob went on to Creighton Prep High School, where he was taught by the Jesuits, while Dolores attended Notre Dame High School. “This was the seed of our vocations,” Bob once said, explaining his sister grew up to be a Religious Sister of Mercy while he became a Diocesan Priest.
After high school, Bob attended Immaculate Conception Seminary in Conception, Missouri. At the end of his four years, Omaha’s Archbishop Gerald T. Bergan appointed nine in Bob’s class, including Bob, for four years of service to the Archdiocese of Omaha. Bob had the “good fortune” to be assigned to the North American College of Rome to be educated by the Jesuits at the Gregorian University.

In Rome, Bob learned Latin and Italian. Between classes, he often walked to the famous Trevi Fountain. But the most impactful experience for him while living there was being present for the opening of Vatican II and serving benediction for Pope John XXIII. He was there when Pope John XXIII died, and he witnessed the election of Pope Paul VI.

Father Preisinger was ordained in Rome on December 18, 1963, with his immediate family, five relatives, and friends from Omaha witnessing the event. His first assignment for the Omaha Archdiocese was St. Ann Parish. While there, he began teaching theology at the College of Saint Mary in 1965, a ministry that would continue for 32 years. He eventually served as head of the program and chaplain while serving several parishes over the years. Father Preisinger’s assignments included: Saints Peter & Paul in Omaha; Assumption, Omaha; Blessed Sacrament, Omaha; St. Joseph, Springfield, Nebraska, where he built the parish; St. Bernadette, Omaha; and St. John the Baptist, Fort Calhoun, Nebraska. During his years of ministry, he was also appointed Chairman of the Archdiocesan Ecumenical Commission.

Father Preisinger loved preaching and teaching. He enjoyed sharing with others about God, the Church, and God’s Word in Scripture. In his free time, he enjoyed fishing and gardening, and he had season tickets to the symphony and opera. Father Preisinger liked traveling in the United States and Europe, and he enjoyed cooking – all as a result and a pubic testament to his earlier years spent in Rome.

Survived by sister, Sr. Dolores Preisinger, RSM; brother priests; other relatives and friends.

VISITATION: Wednesday, November 9th from 5pm to 7pm at the West Center Chapel, followed by VIGIL SERVICE at 7pm.  MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL: Thursday, November 10th at 10:30am at St. Cecilia Cathedral, 701 N. 40th St.  Interment, Calvary Cemetery.  Memorials are suggested to the Sisters of Mercy Retirement Fund and the Archdiocese of Omaha Priests Retirement Fund.

To view live broadcasts of the Vigil Service, Mass, and Graveside Service, please visit www.heafeyheafey.com and click the “View Live Cast” button at the top of the home page.

 

3 Comments

  • Tracy Lankford Posted November 7, 2022 7:28 pm

    I can’t count the number of wonderful memories our families have had. I have to say probably my favorite was the m and Ms that always showed up mysteriously. I know you are up there in heaven with your fishing buddies. You will truly be missed. Matt, Tracy, Kyle and Adam

  • Steve and Donna McCullough Posted November 8, 2022 3:06 pm

    May eternal rest be granted onto him.

  • Patti & Jim Kantor Posted November 10, 2022 6:25 am

    Our condolences to Sister Dee and family. Lots of memories of Father at St. Joseph in Springfield – especially the annual parish festivals. Hugs!

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