The Right Reverend Ralph Koehler, OSB (January 20, 1929 – March 21, 2020.) sixth Abbot of Saint Benedict's Abbey died peacefully early Saturday morning, March 21, the Solemnity of the Passing of our Holy Father Saint Benedict. He had been fortified by the Sacraments of the Church, the Apostolic Pardon, and was surrounded by many of the monks at the time of his death.
Abbot Ralph (Wilfred) Koehler was born on January 20, 1929, the son of John M. Koehler and Helen Victoria (Heideman) Koehler in Seneca, KS. For Grade School and High School he attended St. Peter and Paul in Seneca, Ks, graduating from high school in May, 1945. He enrolled at St. Benedict's College in the Fall of 1945. He tried the monastic life here for a time, but did not stay, at that time.
In 1947 he enlisted in the new U.S Air Force. He served as an airborne radar technician in the 8th Air Force based in Roswell, NM. In 1950 he was honorably discharged having earned the rank of sergeant.
In 1954 he returned to St. Benedict's College. In July, 1955 he entered the novitiate of the Abbey and was given the name Ralph. He professed First Vows on July 11, 1956. In 1958 He earned a bachelor's degree in mathematics from St. Benedict's College.
After studying for the priesthood at the Abbey School of Theology, Abbot Ralph was ordained as a priest on May 31, 1962, In September of that year he went to the Abbey's new mission of St. Joseph's Priory, Mineiros, Goias, Brazil, along with Father Herbert Hermes, who later would become a Bishop in Brazil. While in Brazil for the next 13 years, Abbot Ralph learned the language of the people, and served as Pastor, and Prior. He also helped welcome the Sisters of Mount St. Scholastica Monastery from Atchison, KS when they came to live the monastic life, and serve the people of Mineiros.
In 1975 Abbot Ralph returned to the Abbey. He taught Mathematics at Maur Hill Mount Academy, and served as Director of Camp St. Maur. In 1976 Abbot Brendan Downey asked him to serve as Prior of the Abbey.
Upon the death of Abbot Brendan in 1980, Abbot Ralph was elected as the sixth Abbot of St. Benedict's Abbey on November 28, 1980, taking over then as spiritual father of the community. He was blessed as Abbot on January 4, 1981 by Archbishop Ignatius Strecker of Kansas City in Kansas.
During his years as Abbot, Abbot Ralph guided the community in revising the Liturgy of the Hours. He also oversaw the renovation of the monastery and created a new infirmary area to care for the monks with health needs.
Upon resigning as Abbot on December 3, 1989, Abbot Ralph began a fruitful career as a pastor. He first served as Administrator of St. Peter and Paul in Seneca from December 1989-May, 1990. Then, from 1990-1998, he served as pastor of St. Ann, Effingham, Kan.; St. Louis, Good Intent, Kan. From 1998-2000, as pastor of St. Mary's, St. Benedict, Ks; St. Bede, Kelly, Ks; and St. Patrick's, Corning Ks. From 2000-2008, he served as pastor of St. Ann, Hiawatha, KS.
After returning to the Abbey in 2008, Abbot Ralph kept busy with projects around the house. He still enjoyed lifelong hobbies of golf, and fishing, and rarely missed a home Benedictine College Raven's football game. He enjoyed visiting with family and friends and reminding them loudly that he was "suffering in silence."
Abbot Ralph was preceded in death by his parents, and by two brothers, James and Ronald, and his sisters Rita Broderick and Mary Lear. He is survived by two sisters, Esther Profitt, and Barby Buckley and many nieces and nephews and dear friends.
With the COVID-19 outbreak, the monks celebrated Vespers of the Dead and the Mass of Christian Burial with interment in the Abbey Cemetery with his two surviving sisters present, as well as a few nieces and nephews. At a later date, the Abbey will have a Memorial Mass for Abbot Ralph open to the public.
Memorials in honor of Abbot Ralph may be made here. (Don't forget to share a remembrance in the comments box!)
We commend our brother, Abbot Ralph to your prayers.
Abbot Ralph (Wilfred) Koehler was born on January 20, 1929, the son of John M. Koehler and Helen Victoria (Heideman) Koehler in Seneca, KS. For Grade School and High School he attended St. Peter and Paul in Seneca, Ks, graduating from high school in May, 1945. He enrolled at St. Benedict's College in the Fall of 1945. He tried the monastic life here for a time, but did not stay, at that time.
In 1947 he enlisted in the new U.S Air Force. He served as an airborne radar technician in the 8th Air Force based in Roswell, NM. In 1950 he was honorably discharged having earned the rank of sergeant.
In 1954 he returned to St. Benedict's College. In July, 1955 he entered the novitiate of the Abbey and was given the name Ralph. He professed First Vows on July 11, 1956. In 1958 He earned a bachelor's degree in mathematics from St. Benedict's College.
After studying for the priesthood at the Abbey School of Theology, Abbot Ralph was ordained as a priest on May 31, 1962, In September of that year he went to the Abbey's new mission of St. Joseph's Priory, Mineiros, Goias, Brazil, along with Father Herbert Hermes, who later would become a Bishop in Brazil. While in Brazil for the next 13 years, Abbot Ralph learned the language of the people, and served as Pastor, and Prior. He also helped welcome the Sisters of Mount St. Scholastica Monastery from Atchison, KS when they came to live the monastic life, and serve the people of Mineiros.
In 1975 Abbot Ralph returned to the Abbey. He taught Mathematics at Maur Hill Mount Academy, and served as Director of Camp St. Maur. In 1976 Abbot Brendan Downey asked him to serve as Prior of the Abbey.
Upon the death of Abbot Brendan in 1980, Abbot Ralph was elected as the sixth Abbot of St. Benedict's Abbey on November 28, 1980, taking over then as spiritual father of the community. He was blessed as Abbot on January 4, 1981 by Archbishop Ignatius Strecker of Kansas City in Kansas.
During his years as Abbot, Abbot Ralph guided the community in revising the Liturgy of the Hours. He also oversaw the renovation of the monastery and created a new infirmary area to care for the monks with health needs.
Upon resigning as Abbot on December 3, 1989, Abbot Ralph began a fruitful career as a pastor. He first served as Administrator of St. Peter and Paul in Seneca from December 1989-May, 1990. Then, from 1990-1998, he served as pastor of St. Ann, Effingham, Kan.; St. Louis, Good Intent, Kan. From 1998-2000, as pastor of St. Mary's, St. Benedict, Ks; St. Bede, Kelly, Ks; and St. Patrick's, Corning Ks. From 2000-2008, he served as pastor of St. Ann, Hiawatha, KS.
After returning to the Abbey in 2008, Abbot Ralph kept busy with projects around the house. He still enjoyed lifelong hobbies of golf, and fishing, and rarely missed a home Benedictine College Raven's football game. He enjoyed visiting with family and friends and reminding them loudly that he was "suffering in silence."
Abbot Ralph was preceded in death by his parents, and by two brothers, James and Ronald, and his sisters Rita Broderick and Mary Lear. He is survived by two sisters, Esther Profitt, and Barby Buckley and many nieces and nephews and dear friends.
With the COVID-19 outbreak, the monks celebrated Vespers of the Dead and the Mass of Christian Burial with interment in the Abbey Cemetery with his two surviving sisters present, as well as a few nieces and nephews. At a later date, the Abbey will have a Memorial Mass for Abbot Ralph open to the public.
Memorials in honor of Abbot Ralph may be made here. (Don't forget to share a remembrance in the comments box!)
We commend our brother, Abbot Ralph to your prayers.
The Right Reverend Ralph Koehler, OSB (January 20, 1929 – March 21, 2020.) sixth Abbot of Saint Benedict's Abbey died peacefully early Saturday morning, March 21, the Solemnity of the Passing of our Holy Father Saint Benedict. He had been fortified by the Sacraments of the Church, the Apostolic Pardon, and was surrounded by many of the monks at the time of his death.
Abbot Ralph (Wilfred) Koehler was born on January 20, 1929, the son of John M. Koehler and Helen Victoria (Heideman) Koehler in Seneca, KS. For Grade School and High School he attended St. Peter and Paul in Seneca, Ks, graduating from high school in May, 1945. He enrolled at St. Benedict's College in the Fall of 1945. He tried the monastic life here for a time, but did not stay, at that time.
In 1947 he enlisted in the new U.S Air Force. He served as an airborne radar technician in the 8th Air Force based in Roswell, NM. In 1950 he was honorably discharged having earned the rank of sergeant.
In 1954 he returned to St. Benedict's College. In July, 1955 he entered the novitiate of the Abbey and was given the name Ralph. He professed First Vows on July 11, 1956. In 1958 He earned a bachelor's degree in mathematics from St. Benedict's College.
After studying for the priesthood at the Abbey School of Theology, Abbot Ralph was ordained as a priest on May 31, 1962, In September of that year he went to the Abbey's new mission of St. Joseph's Priory, Mineiros, Goias, Brazil, along with Father Herbert Hermes, who later would become a Bishop in Brazil. While in Brazil for the next 13 years, Abbot Ralph learned the language of the people, and served as Pastor, and Prior. He also helped welcome the Sisters of Mount St. Scholastica Monastery from Atchison, KS when they came to live the monastic life, and serve the people of Mineiros.
In 1975 Abbot Ralph returned to the Abbey. He taught Mathematics at Maur Hill Mount Academy, and served as Director of Camp St. Maur. In 1976 Abbot Brendan Downey asked him to serve as Prior of the Abbey.
Upon the death of Abbot Brendan in 1980, Abbot Ralph was elected as the sixth Abbot of St. Benedict's Abbey on November 28, 1980, taking over then as spiritual father of the community. He was blessed as Abbot on January 4, 1981 by Archbishop Ignatius Strecker of Kansas City in Kansas.
During his years as Abbot, Abbot Ralph guided the community in revising the Liturgy of the Hours. He also oversaw the renovation of the monastery and created a new infirmary area to care for the monks with health needs.
Upon resigning as Abbot on December 3, 1989, Abbot Ralph began a fruitful career as a pastor. He first served as Administrator of St. Peter and Paul in Seneca from December 1989-May, 1990. Then, from 1990-1998, he served as pastor of St. Ann, Effingham, Kan.; St. Louis, Good Intent, Kan. From 1998-2000, as pastor of St. Mary's, St. Benedict, Ks; St. Bede, Kelly, Ks; and St. Patrick's, Corning Ks. From 2000-2008, he served as pastor of St. Ann, Hiawatha, KS.
After returning to the Abbey in 2008, Abbot Ralph kept busy with projects around the house. He still enjoyed lifelong hobbies of golf, and fishing, and rarely missed a home Benedictine College Raven's football game. He enjoyed visiting with family and friends and reminding them loudly that he was "suffering in silence."
Abbot Ralph was preceded in death by his parents, and by two brothers, James and Ronald, and his sisters Rita Broderick and Mary Lear. He is survived by two sisters, Esther Profitt, and Barby Buckley and many nieces and nephews and dear friends.
With the COVID-19 outbreak, the monks celebrated Vespers of the Dead and the Mass of Christian Burial with interment in the Abbey Cemetery with his two surviving sisters present, as well as a few nieces and nephews. At a later date, the Abbey will have a Memorial Mass for Abbot Ralph open to the public.
Memorials in honor of Abbot Ralph may be made here. (Don't forget to share a remembrance in the comments box!)
We commend our brother, Abbot Ralph to your prayers.
Abbot Ralph (Wilfred) Koehler was born on January 20, 1929, the son of John M. Koehler and Helen Victoria (Heideman) Koehler in Seneca, KS. For Grade School and High School he attended St. Peter and Paul in Seneca, Ks, graduating from high school in May, 1945. He enrolled at St. Benedict's College in the Fall of 1945. He tried the monastic life here for a time, but did not stay, at that time.
In 1947 he enlisted in the new U.S Air Force. He served as an airborne radar technician in the 8th Air Force based in Roswell, NM. In 1950 he was honorably discharged having earned the rank of sergeant.
In 1954 he returned to St. Benedict's College. In July, 1955 he entered the novitiate of the Abbey and was given the name Ralph. He professed First Vows on July 11, 1956. In 1958 He earned a bachelor's degree in mathematics from St. Benedict's College.
After studying for the priesthood at the Abbey School of Theology, Abbot Ralph was ordained as a priest on May 31, 1962, In September of that year he went to the Abbey's new mission of St. Joseph's Priory, Mineiros, Goias, Brazil, along with Father Herbert Hermes, who later would become a Bishop in Brazil. While in Brazil for the next 13 years, Abbot Ralph learned the language of the people, and served as Pastor, and Prior. He also helped welcome the Sisters of Mount St. Scholastica Monastery from Atchison, KS when they came to live the monastic life, and serve the people of Mineiros.
In 1975 Abbot Ralph returned to the Abbey. He taught Mathematics at Maur Hill Mount Academy, and served as Director of Camp St. Maur. In 1976 Abbot Brendan Downey asked him to serve as Prior of the Abbey.
Upon the death of Abbot Brendan in 1980, Abbot Ralph was elected as the sixth Abbot of St. Benedict's Abbey on November 28, 1980, taking over then as spiritual father of the community. He was blessed as Abbot on January 4, 1981 by Archbishop Ignatius Strecker of Kansas City in Kansas.
During his years as Abbot, Abbot Ralph guided the community in revising the Liturgy of the Hours. He also oversaw the renovation of the monastery and created a new infirmary area to care for the monks with health needs.
Upon resigning as Abbot on December 3, 1989, Abbot Ralph began a fruitful career as a pastor. He first served as Administrator of St. Peter and Paul in Seneca from December 1989-May, 1990. Then, from 1990-1998, he served as pastor of St. Ann, Effingham, Kan.; St. Louis, Good Intent, Kan. From 1998-2000, as pastor of St. Mary's, St. Benedict, Ks; St. Bede, Kelly, Ks; and St. Patrick's, Corning Ks. From 2000-2008, he served as pastor of St. Ann, Hiawatha, KS.
After returning to the Abbey in 2008, Abbot Ralph kept busy with projects around the house. He still enjoyed lifelong hobbies of golf, and fishing, and rarely missed a home Benedictine College Raven's football game. He enjoyed visiting with family and friends and reminding them loudly that he was "suffering in silence."
Abbot Ralph was preceded in death by his parents, and by two brothers, James and Ronald, and his sisters Rita Broderick and Mary Lear. He is survived by two sisters, Esther Profitt, and Barby Buckley and many nieces and nephews and dear friends.
With the COVID-19 outbreak, the monks celebrated Vespers of the Dead and the Mass of Christian Burial with interment in the Abbey Cemetery with his two surviving sisters present, as well as a few nieces and nephews. At a later date, the Abbey will have a Memorial Mass for Abbot Ralph open to the public.
Memorials in honor of Abbot Ralph may be made here. (Don't forget to share a remembrance in the comments box!)
We commend our brother, Abbot Ralph to your prayers.
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