Date of death: 10/1/2025
Saint Meinrad Class: O 1966
Rev. Robert C. Groher
With faith in the Resurrection of our Lord, we offer our prayers for Rev. Robert Charles Groher, who entered eternal life on October 1, 2025 at the age of 84.
Father Groher was born on November 3, 1940 in New London, WI. He was the son of George and Mildred (Allen) Groher and stepson of Beatrice Manske. He was the cousin of Fathers Leonard Nolan, O.Praem, Stephen J. Rossey, O.Praem. and Thomas Golden. Fr. Groher graduated from Sacred Heart Seminary, Oneida. In 1962, he earned his B.A. in Philosophy from Saint Meinrad Seminary College, St. Meinrad, Indiana. He earned his Master of Divinity degree from Saint Meinrad School of Theology in 1966. Father Groher continued his education in 1990 earning his Doctor of Ministry from St. Mary Seminary and University, Baltimore.
Father Groher further survived by his sister, Mary Bond and her daughter, Wendy (David) Stroup and their children, Matthew and Abby, also a sister-in-law, Paula Groher and her children, Christopher, Nicholas and Andrew. He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Will and a brother-in-law, Thomas Bond.
Father Groher was ordained to the priesthood on May 28, 1966, by Bishop John B. Grellinger at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral in Green Bay. He faithfully served the Diocese of Green Bay for over five decades, beginning his ministry at St. Joseph Parish, Green Bay.
For the first ten years of his ministry, Fr. Groher was part of the faculty and served as Chaplain at St. Francis Xavier High School, Appleton. During this time, he was assisting at many parishes and hospitals: St. Joseph Parish in Phlox, St. Elizabeth Hospital in Appleton, Immaculate Conception in Florence, St. Norbert in Long Lake, St. Mary in Winneconne, Sacred Heart in Shawano, and St. Martin in Cecil. In 1968, Father Groher became part of the faculty and served as Chaplain at St. Mary High School, Menasha, followed by a similar role at St. John High School, Little Chute in 1971. During his time at St. John’s, he also ministered as Campus Minister to the Newman Center and Lawrence University. Concluding as Chaplain for St. John High School he added being Campus Minister for UWGB-Menasha and the Fox Valley Technical Institute.
In 1973, Father Groher returned to parish ministry as Associate Pastor of St. Margaret Mary in Neenah. He briefly resumed chaplaincy at St. Francis Xavier High School (1975-1977), before being appointed Pastor of Holy Trinity Church, Jericho as well as St. Elizabeth Parish in Kloten. In 1978, he became the first Resident Pastor of St. Raphael the Archangel Parish in Oshkosh. Then, in 1979, he was named Pastor of St. Mary Parish in Greenville and Chaplain for St. Mary Hospital in Green Bay. In 1984, he began parish work as Administrator at St. Mary Parish in Maplewood while also serving as Chaplain for Winnebago Mental Health Institute. In 1986, Father Groher served as Chaplain and Spiritual Director at Holy Name Retreat House on Chambers Island.
In 1987, Father Groher was appointed as the Diocesan Director of World Mission Services. He continued in this role until 1994 while also serving as an archivist from 1991-93. It was during this time that Father Groher developed his advocacy for the very poor echoing in word and action Christ who said: As long as you did something for one of these poor, you did this for me. He served as Missionary Preacher for the Christian Foundation for Children and Aging from 1995-2003, and later in 2004 as Missionary Preacher for Food for the Poor. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus Council #1475, Oconto. Father Groher received senior status in 2010.