Rev. Robert J. McGlinn, a priest known as “Padre Roberto” among Hispanic communities, died on October 18, 2025, at the age of 95. McGlinn served as assistant pastor at St. Francis Xavier Parish in La Grange and Precious Blood Parish in Chicago before continuing his ministry in Latin America and the Archdiocese of Milwaukee.

Born on December 2, 1929, in Chicago, McGlinn attended Quigley Preparatory Seminary and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary. He was ordained to the priesthood on May 3, 1955, by Cardinal Samuel Stritch.

After ordination, McGlinn began his pastoral work in Illinois before accepting a mission assignment in San Miguelito, Panama. Returning to Chicago in 1968, he earned a graduate degree in bilingual education from the University of Wisconsin. He later taught and was invited to Honduras to serve Catholic parishes without priests.

When the permanent diaconate was established in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, McGlinn directed the formation of Hispanic candidates. He also assisted in Migrant Ministry in Milwaukee and continued supporting the Diocese of Comayagua.

In 1991, Archbishop Rembert Weakland appointed McGlinn as administrator of Cristo Rey Parish in Racine, Wisconsin, where he served for sixteen years.

“I first met Fr. McGlinn while I was a student at Horlick High School in Racine,” remembered Deacon Eloy Contreras of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. “At that time, he had just been appointed to Cristo Rey Parish, which was a Hispanic parish. When he arrived in Racine, he became involved in forming a new youth group at the parish, and I was part of that first group. Over time, through his guidance and encouragement, I eventually became a youth minister — and later, at his urging once again, I went on to pursue the diaconate. He saw something in me before I was ever able to see it in myself.”

In 2007, McGlinn became administrator of St. Hyacinth and St. Vincent de Paul parishes in Milwaukee. He later worked to bring together Hispanic Catholics in western Waukesha County, leading to the establishment of a worship community at St. Jerome Church in Oconomowoc. Even into his 80s and 90s, McGlinn volunteered at local institutions such as Racine Correctional Institution, Catholic Charities Day Care, and New Perspective Senior Living Center, while continuing his ministry at St. Jerome Parish.

Contreras described McGlinn as having “a quiet strength and a servant’s heart.” “Whether he was forming deacons, sitting with a family in grief, or greeting a parishioner after Mass,” Contreras said, “he never rushed the moment or the person in front of him. One of the things I remember most is that he never let the ‘role’ of priest overshadow the simple call to be a servant. Even in his old age and illness, that never left him. Most people retire from service; he retired to service, working up until his body could no more.”

Funeral services are scheduled for Friday, October 24, 2025, at St. Patrick Church in Racine, Wisconsin. Visitation will begin at 5 p.m., followed by a funeral Mass at 6 p.m., with Most Rev. James Schuerman as main celebrant and Contreras delivering the homily. Interment will take place later at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Alsip, Illinois.