Fr. Robert B. Wachter, a priest of the Diocese of Wichita for nearly five decades, died on August 1 at age 75 in his hometown of Pittsburg, Kansas. His funeral Mass was celebrated at Our Lady of Lourdes parish in Pittsburg, and he was laid to rest in Highland Park Cemetery.

During the funeral Mass on August 9, Fr. David Lies recalled a phrase that Fr. Wachter often repeated: “‘You’re going to Heaven!’” Fr. Lies explained that for Fr. Wachter, “Heaven” was synonymous with Pittsburg, Kansas.

“It was with surprise and sadness tinged with joy that I heard the news from that Fr. Robert Wachter had died at the home of family, in Pittsburg, in Heaven,” said Fr. Lies during his homily.

Fr. Lies also spoke about Wachter’s early life and connection to Pittsburg, sharing memories provided by Wachter’s younger brother Paul about their childhood activities such as picking blueberries and mowing yards during summers. He noted that Wachter played football for Colgan High Panthers and continued to support the team throughout his life.

Reflecting on Fr. Wachter’s vocation, Fr. Lies cited Pope St. John Paul II’s encyclical *Pastores dabo Vobis*: “The human personality of the priest is to be a bridge and not an obstacle to others in their meeting with Jesus Christ, the redeemer of the human race.” He described how Fr. Wachter used his unique personality as a means to connect others with faith: “Fr. Wachter was endowed by God with his unique ‘human personality,’ which he expressed through his priesthood to be a bridge for many souls to meet Jesus.”

Fr. Lies likened priests’ roles to pencils—ordinary instruments used by God: “A priest’s human personality is that humble element – like lead – that God, the divine alchemist, transforms into gold when he conforms his life to imitate the life of Jesus Christ… The Spirit of the living God uses him to write on the hearts of the people he serves.”

Wachter served as a priest for 49 years after being ordained on May 8, 1976 at Our Lady of Lourdes in Pittsburg following studies at St. Thomas Seminary in Denver and Holy Trinity Seminary in Dallas.

His assignments included assistant positions at All Saints Parish in Wichita; assistant chancellor for the diocese; chaplain at St. Francis Hospital; teacher at Bishop Carroll Catholic High School; pastorates at Holy Savior Parish (Wichita), St. Mary (Newton), St. Joseph (Conway Springs), St. Martin of Tours (Caldwell), Christ the King (Wichita), St. Patrick (Parsons), St. John (Iola); as well as service at parishes including Yates Center, Piqua, and Fort Scott.

In 2019 he became chaplain for St. Dismas Ministry to the Incarcerated before retiring from active ministry in June 2020.

He is survived by several siblings and extended family members as well as many parishioners impacted by his ministry.

“Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him,” concluded a statement from those remembering him.