Death Notice: Father Richard Kropf (1932 - 2024) RIP

Of your charity, please pray for the repose of the soul of the Reverend Richard William Kropf, priest of the Diocese of Lansing, who died on October 24, 2024. He was 92-years-old. Requiescat in pace.

Richard Kropf was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on January 9, 1932, the son of Richard B. Kropf and Aileen Foley Kropf. Father Kropf studied at Xavier University and Saint Gregory Seminary, Cincinnati; Sacred Heart Seminary College, Detroit; and Saint John’s Provincial Seminary, Plymouth. He also studied at the University of Ottawa, and Saint Paul University, Ottawa.

On June 7, 1958, Father Kropf was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Lansing. He served as Parochial Vicar at Holy Redeemer in Flint, Saint Joseph Parish in Battle Creek, Saint Michael Parish in Grand Ledge and Saint Monica Parish in Kalamazoo. Father Kropf was formally recognized by the Church as a hermit after taking public vows in 1985.

Father Kropf served as Associate Priest of the Madonna House Apostolate, headquartered in Combermere, Ontario and was also a Third Order member of the Discalced Carmelites. The exequies for Father Kropf are as follows:

A Vigil service will be held at 6pm on Tuesday, October 29, 2024, at Saint Mary, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cathedral in Gaylord. Visitation will be held at 10am on Wednesday, October 30, 2024, at Saint Mary, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cathedral, followed by Requiem Mass at 11am with the Most Reverend Jeffrey J. Walsh, Bishop of Gaylord, as principal celebrant. A memorial service for Father Kropf will also be held at Saint Mary Cathedral in Lansing at a later date. Interment will take place at Saint Joseph Cemetery in Lansing.

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen.

May his soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.