Rev. Richard Karenbauer

Father Richard P. Karenbauer, a retired priest of the Diocese of Greensburg, died May 25, 2017, at his home in Latrobe. He was 74 and had been a priest for 47 years.

Father Karenbauer was born in Butler Dec. 31, 1942, to the late Paul and Marie Benson Karenbauer. He attended the former St. Fidelis Seminary, Herman, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and Saint Vincent Seminary, Latrobe, where he earned a master of divinity degree.

Father Karenbauer was ordained to the priesthood May 9, 1970, at Blessed Sacrament Cathedral, Greensburg, by Bishop William G. Connare.

Father Karenbauer served as parochial vicar of Our Lady of Grace Parish, Greensburg (1970-71); St. Peter Parish, Brownsville, and its former chapel in Newell (1973-77); Holy Family Parish, Latrobe (1977); Immaculate Conception Parish, Connellsville, and its former chapel in Dawson (1977-80); and the former St. Leonard Parish, Monessen (1980-82).

He was pastor of the former St. Hedwig Parish, Smock, and its former chapel in Keisterville (1982-85); Holy Family Parish, Seward, and its former chapels in New Florence and Bolivar (1985-86); the former Holy Cross Parish, Iselin (1986-87); the former St. Martha Parish, Leechburg (1987-97); St. Mary of Czestochowa Parish, New Kensington (1997-2008); St. Joseph Parish, New Kensington (2008-10) and administrator of St. Mary of Czestochowa Parish; and St. Florian Parish, United (2010-14).

He was a religion instructor at Greensburg Central Catholic High School (1971) and Geibel Catholic High School, Connellsville (1972).

Father Karenbauer was spiritual director of the diocese’s Holy Name Society (2006-14), served on the Priestly Life and Ministry Committee, and was the clergy moderator of the Regional Pastoral Council for the New Kensington-Lower Burrell region.

He retired from active ministry Jan. 23, 2014.

Surviving are 5 brothers: Robert (Barbara), Ronald (Diana), Larry (Jean), Kenneth (Jean) and Dennis Sr. (Lori) Karenbauer.

2 sisters: Judy (Richard) Kile and Bonnie (William) Giallombardo.

A brother-in-law, Robert Murray.

Numerous nieces and nephews, great nieces and great nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Darlene Murray and a nephew, Jason Karenbauer.

Friends will be received at the Geibel Funeral Home, 201 East Cunningham St. Butler, PA 16001 from 7-9 pm Tuesday and from 2-4 and 7-9 pm Wednesday. He will lay in state from 9-11 am Thursday at St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church in North Oakland. A Mass of Christian Burial will be Celebrated at 11:00 am from the church with Bishop Edward C. Malesic to officiate. Interment will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery.

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