Date of death: 10/8/2012
Saint Meinrad Class: T 1989
Rev. Robert P. Herald, at the age of 65 and a Catholic priest for 23 years, died on October 8, 2012. He was born on November 8, 1947, in Fountainhill, Pennsylvania. His parents were Alexander Herald and Florence Donnellan Herald. He graduated from Seton Hall University in 1970 and received a Master of Divinity degree from Saint Meinrad Seminary in 1989. He was ordained a priest of the Diocese of Austin on May 27, 1989, at St. Louis Catholic Church in Austin, by Most Rev. John E. McCarthy. He served in various parishes in Central Texas, including St. Theresa in Austin, St. Mary in Hearne, St. Mary Cathedral in Austin, St. Louis in Austin, St. Mary in Mexia, St. Joseph in Bryan, St. Ann in Somerville, St. Joseph in Rockdale, Our Lady of Lourdes in Gatesville, and St. Joseph in Waco. Father Herald was a Fourth Degree member of the Knights of Columbus and a Knight Commander in the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. He previously assisted in the Tribunal of the Diocese of Austin and served as a prison chaplain in Palestine, Texas. He was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his brother John Herald of Paterson, New Jersey; his sister Marian Herald Speid of Elmwood Park, New Jersey; his half-brother Edward O’Brien of Oldwick, New Jersey; and numerous nieces and nephews. All services will be held at St. Mary Catholic Church, 402 W. First Street in Hearne, Texas. Visitation will be held on Thursday, October 11, 2012, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. followed by Vigil for the Deceased at 7:00 p.m. Most Rev. Joe S. V+φsquez will celebrate the Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, October 12, 2012, assisted by concelebrating priests of the diocese. Interment will follow at St. Mary Catholic Cemetery in Hearne. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Seminarian Education Endowment at the Catholic Foundation of the Diocese of Austin. Arrangements are being handled by Hillier Funeral Home in Bryan. Please share memories of Fr. Bob at www.hillierfuneralhome.com.From the Austin American-Statesman