Two auxiliary bishops, 13 other priests and three deacons from the Washington Archdiocese joined in celebrating a mass of Christian burial Aug. 10 for former Resurrection pastor Fr. Robert F. Keffer.
Fr. Bob, who was pastor at Resurrection for 13 years, from 1999 to 2012, died July 7 at age 83.
Auxiliary Bishop Gary Studniewski was the principal celebrant at the Aug. 10 mass and was joined by Retired Auxiliary Bishop Roy Campbell, as well as Resurrection pastor Fr. John Barry and the other priests and deacons. The mass was attended by a full house of worshipers, and a large part of the crowd attended a reception in the Amadeo Room following the mass. Another funeral mass for Fr. Bob was celebrated at the parish the day before.
The Resurrection Parish Life Center is named after Fr. Bob, who oversaw its development and construction while he was pastor here. The center includes parish offices, meeting rooms a large lobby and a courtyard. It is a popular gathering spot and the site of countless parish activities.
Fr. Bob had many outside interests, including cooking, caring for his dogs, flower growing, bridge playing and classical music, some elements of which the Parish Choir performed at the funeral mass.
After his retirement as pastor in 2012, Fr. Bob moved to West Virginia where he continued to assist in priestly work at parishes there.
