By William Purcell
A True Father in Spirit and Heart:
The lasting impact of Father Bob Riemer.
Building Foundations Across Cultures
Born and raised in Chicago, Father Bob professed his first vows as a Divine Word Missionary in 1953 and was ordained a priest in 1960. He soon traveled to Japan for intensive language study, eager to connect deeply with the local people. His early years of priesthood focused on parish ministry and teaching before he returned to the United States to earn a doctorate in sociology from the University of Notre Dame. His academic training prepared him to join the faculty at Nanzan University in Japan. He spent over 50 years there as a professor, formator, and administrator, including eleven years as university president.
Father Bob balanced his administrative duties with ministry at the Logos Center, the university's Catholic chaplaincy. He recognized that missionary work requires personal presence rather than mere formal instruction. When his superiors asked him to guide seminarians preparing for ministry in Japan, he founded and directed Xavier House, a vibrant formation community that welcomed candidates and lay collaborators from every corner of the globe.
Guiding Leaders in Shared Community
At Xavier House, young men experienced Father Bob's unique wisdom, quick humor, and fatherly care. He believed that it was important to walk side-by-side with the students as they adjusted to a new culture. His mentorship shaped individuals who now lead ministries around the world, including university presidents, mental health professionals, and biblical educators across Spain, Mexico, and the Philippines. Recognizing that every individual is unique, Fr. Bob helped each student to discern God’s call, whether that meant the priesthood, religious life, or service in the secular world.
Fr. Bob’s care and concern left a permanent mark on everyone who passed through the community. Even those who discovered that their calling lay outside of religious life carried his missionary fire and enthusiasm into their academic and family lives. William Purcell, a Xavier House alumnus who spent 41 years teaching literature in Japan, remembers this impact vividly. "I would not be where I am today without having known you," Purcell shares, reflecting the gratitude of hundreds of former students.
Living the Mission Through Lifelong Friendship
Even after his retirement from Nanzan Kokusai High School, Father Bob refused to slow down. He stepped into the role of a hospice chaplain at Holy Spirit Hospital, providing tangible physical care and spiritual comfort to patients in their final days. This work allowed him to speak directly to the hearts of the dying. He showed that the SVD mission never truly ends. Rather, it adapts to the needs of the community.
Today, at 93 years old, Father Bob enjoys a well-earned retirement at Divine Word Seminary in Nagoya. Though his active days in the classroom have passed, his room remains a hub of connection. Visitors, phone calls, and international messages arrive from around the globe. Following the grand celebration of the SVD 150th anniversary jubilee, his quiet, steadfast witness stands as a bright beacon for the next generation of missionaries.
Father Bob’s legacy demonstrates that a lifetime dedicated to Christ leaves a tremendous impact. Please help support our senior missionaries (like Fr. Bob) and empower the next generation of global leaders.
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