Father Robert A. Schwane, CM

1927–2006

Father Robert Schwane, CM, was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1927. He entered the Congregation of the Mission in 1944, and was ordained a priest in 1953. He died peacefully at DePaul House in Denver, Colorado, on March 12, 2006, ending his long bout with cancer. He was 78 years old. The following reflection on the life and work of Fr. Schwane was contributed by Father Ray van Dorpe, CM.

Fr. Schwane had served the church in Denver since 1987. From 1995-2000, he was the associate pastor of Holy Ghost Church and
St. Elizabeth of Hungary Mission. Before that, he was on the formation team at De Andreis House, the Vin-centian seminary program located at the former St. Thomas Seminary in Denver, and served at St. Thomas in various administrative positions.

Fr. Schwane came to Denver from St. Louis, where he taught science at Cardinal Glennon College. He received his doctorate in chemistry from the Catholic University of America in 1958. He taught chemistry at DePaul Univer­sity in Chicago from 1958 to 1969.

At the end of that tenure, he was the chairman of the department. From 1969 to 1980, Father was a missionary in Chile. He held the office of Provincial there for most of those years.

Friends said that Fr. Schwane will be fondly remembered for his warm and loving service to the Colorado Vincentian Volunteers, where he served as spiritual director. He was also on the board of the Center for Spirituality at Work. He was a frequent Mass celebrant for various groups, who appreci-ated his unique preaching style, especially his creative use of visual aids or “props” when giving a homily. After retirement, Fr. Schwane volunteered
as chaplain at Children’s Hospital in Denver, where he was often called upon to minister in Spanish to sick Hispanic children and their parents. He ended this final ministry only months before his death, when his physical limitations prevented him from going to the hospital. May he rest in peace!