Oldest priest of diocese marks 70th jubilee

By RENEE WEBB, Globe editor
March 18, 2004

Msgr. Robert J. Quinn, a retired priest of the Diocese of Sioux City who resides in California, celebrated his 70th anniversary of ordination on March 18.

According to Msgr. Michael D. Sernett, chancellor of the diocese, Msgr. Quinn is the oldest living priest of the presbyterate of the Diocese of Sioux City. On June 10, the priest will celebrate his 96th birthday.

"We will certainly remember the many years that Msgr. Quinn has served the church, locally, nationally and internationally as a dedicated and faithful priest and a Catholic chaplain in the United States Military," said Msgr. Sernett. "We join together to thank God for his many years of priestly ministry and pray for his special intentions."

Msgr. Quinn will be honored along with other priests of the diocese who are marking sacerdotal anniversaries at a diocesan celebration on April 19 to be held at Sacred Heart Church in Fort Dodge. Confined to a bed and unable to speak, he will be unable to attend the service.

Born in Streator, Ill. Msgr. Quinn's family moved to Iowa when he was just a boy. He attended St. Michael School in Whittemore for three years and St. John's in Bancroft for five years, graduating from St. John's High School in 1926.

His younger brother, Charley Quinn of Omaha, 89, remembers that his brother spoke of the priesthood as a high school student. He believed that fact that "my mother was a great Catholic" coupled with the fine example of parish priests were the inspiration behind Msgr. Quinn following his call to the priesthood. The family has always been proud of Msgr. Quinn.

After attending Creighton University, he went to St. Paul Seminary in Minnesota. He was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Edmond Heelan on March 18, 1934 at Cathedral of the Epiphany in Sioux City. He served in the Diocese of Sioux City as an assistant pastor and pastor from 1934 until September, 1948, interrupted by two years in Navy from 1944 to 1946. In 1948, he began his vocation as a military chaplain.

Charley pointed out that he served as a Navy chaplain for over 20 years. "We have movies of him being moved from one boat to another for a day to say Mass for the boys and girls in service. He was out in the Pacific most of the time," he said.

Charley recalled how "Father Bob" gave the invocation at the dedication of the USS Arizona.

"Even though he was named a monsignor, he always wanted to be called Father Bob. He spent a lot of time with the old people and poor people. He wanted to be a friend to everybody," explained his brother.

In 1969, the priest came back to Iowa and served as pastor at Laurens for nine months before returning to California. He served as a pastor from 1970 to 1972 in Fremont, Calif. and then as chaplain at the Veterans Hospital in Livermore, Calif. for seven years before retiring. In retirement, he continued to assist several parishes in the San Diego area.

He was elevated to a monsignor on his 22nd anniversary, March 18, 1956. At the time, he was the assistant district chaplain at Pearl Harbor.

Msgr. Quinn was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease several years ago and then his ability to speak was taken about five years ago when he had a tracheotomy due to an injury.

Both Charley and the priest's nurse, Elizabeth Hornick pointed out that despite these factors Msgr. Quinn is still quite aware of what is happening.

"His mind is still good. It's better than mine," said Charley, who mentioned that his brother enjoys watching sports on television, especially baseball. "He used to play baseball quite a bit."

Hornick, who has been the nurse in charge of Msgr. Quinn's nursing staff since 1998 when he became seriously ill, described the priest as a very private and humble person.

"The people love him and see him as a very holy priest," said the nurse. Two of his nieces, Mary Kramer of Bancroft, Iowa, and Jeanne Highley planned to visit him on his anniversary, March 18.

"Father loves to hear from people and he would love to have the prayers of the people," said Hornick.

Both Charley and Hornick said that Msgr. Quinn had fond memories of the people and priests of the Diocese of Sioux City.

"I did not know Msgr. Quinn personally, but he has been described as a deeply spiritual priest - very compassionate and a friendly man," said Msgr. Sernett. He had been told that Msgr. Quinn has had a very deep devotion to the Blessed Mother throughout his priesthood.