Rev. Richard Conrad Steinhilber, SSC

Rev. Richard Conrad Steinhilber, SSC

December 2, 1926 – April 17, 2020

Age 93

Fr. Richard Steinhilber was born on December 2, 1926. His parents were Frederick and Anna Lindner Steinhilber of St. Matthew Parish, Buffalo, NY. In addition to the Columban community, Father is survived by 14 nieces and nephews around the US, and close friends in the Omaha area.

Dick attended St. James School, in Buffalo. His high school studies were at St. Columbans Minor Seminary, Silver Creek, NY, from September 1940 to June 1945. Spiritual Year was at St. Columbans in Bristol, RI. While at Bristol he was able to receive a visit from his brother who had served in the US Army and a visit from his sister Marion, who had served in the Army Nurse Corps in India during World War II. She had treated Columban Father Larry McMahon after his release from Japanese captivity in Burma.

Dick then proceeded in September 1946 to St. Columbans Major Seminary at St. Columbans, NE. His ordination took place on December 21, 1951, at St. Columbanus Parish Chicago by Bishop William Cousins. He later studied Canon Law at the Gregorian University, Rome, where he received a DCL degree in September 1955.

He was subsequently appointed to the faculty of St. Columbans Major Seminary, Milton, MA, where he served from July 1956 to June 1960. There he served as Dean as well as teaching duties.

In June 1960 he was appointed Regional Vocation Director headquartered at Omaha and also became a member of the Director’s Council. He developed a Vocation Policy Handbook, which covered all the various aspects of vocation recruiting and was divided into three categories: 1) current vocation policy and procedures; 2) experience of vocation directors, methods and techniques employed in vocation work; and 3) helpful information from non‑Columban sources.This helped to clarify the role of the vocation men assigned in Columban houses.

In July 1967 he became Director of the US Region after the death of Fr. Dan Boland. At the 1970 Chapter he was elected Superior General for period of 6 years. This was a challenging time of change in the history of the World, of the Church and of the Columbans. Dick faced these challenges with integrity, fidelity, and commitment in guiding the society during that difficult period.

In February 1977 he was appointed Vice‑Director of the US Region. He also began serving as Regional Promotion Director, Regional Seminary Coordinator. In February 1980 he became the editor of COLUMBAN MISSION as well as continuing as Vice-Director. In May 1982, Dick served as a delegate to the 1982 Chapter. In 1983 he became a member of the Regional Council.

He served as the editor of the Columban Mission Magazine from 1980 to 2000. During this time the magazine received many awards and compliments. Dick “retired” in 2001 but he continued to serve the mission through his writing skills in corresponding with donors. He faithfully celebrated morning masses for local Columban friends. Father Dick further exercised his priestly calling through involvement with World Wide Marriage Encounter, the Omaha Senate of Priests and RCIA at a local parish.

Visitation: Monday, April 20, 4-7 p.m., at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 2302 Crawford St., Bellevue, with a Vigil Service at 7 p.m.

 Private Mass of Christian Burial: Tuesday, April 21, 10 a.m., at St. Mary’s Catholic Church.

Interment: Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Omaha.

Memorials: Columban Fathers (columban.org)