Date of death: 8/7/2013
Saint Meinrad Class: O 1947
Fr. Richard Hindel, OSB, monk of Saint Meinrad Archabbey, St. Meinrad, IN, died on August 7, 2013, in the monastery infirmary. He was 91. He was a jubilarian of both profession and ordination.Fr. Richard was born in Indianapolis, IN, on July 1, 1922, to Carl and Grace (Lucas) Hindel. He received the name George William at his baptism. In 1936, he entered the minor seminary at Saint Meinrad, and entered the novitiate in 1942. He professed his simple vows on August 6, 1943, and was ordained to the priesthood on May 27, 1947.Fr. Richard taught in the science department of the minor seminary. He also did graduate studies at Loras College in Dubuque, IA, and at The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., where he earned a Master of Science degree in biology in 1961.He held various leadership positions in both the monastery and the seminary. He was director of St. Placid Hall, the school for oblate brothers, for five years; subprior (third in leadership) for eight years; kitchen master for nine; superintendent of buildings and grounds for six years; theology dean of students for eight years and vice rector for eight years.Fr. Richard also served many years as national education chairman and board member of the National Executive Housekeepers Association Inc., during which time he published articles in the organization’s journal.Beginning in 1993, he served in various assignments as pastor or administrator throughout the Archdiocese of Indianapolis. These assignments included St. Isidore, Bristow; Holy Cross, St. Croix; St. Augustine, Leopold; St. Mark, Perry County; St. Bartholomew, Columbus; St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception, Aurora; Our Lady of the Springs, French Lick; Christ the King, Paoli; St. John Parish, Starlight; and St. Matthew, Our Lady of Lourdes, St. Bernadette and St. John the Evangelist, Indianapolis. He also served as dean of the Tell City Deanery (1993-95).The Office of the Dead will be prayed at 7 p.m. on Friday, August 9, in the Archabbey Church, followed by visitation until 9 p.m. Visitation on Saturday will be from 8 to 9:45 a.m. in the Archabbey Church, followed by the funeral Mass at 10 a.m. Burial will follow in the Archabbey Cemetery. All times are Central Time.