Obituary for Father Rick

Father Rick Gantert lived and loved and laughed with a unique sense of wonder, a keen respect for reality, and an honest appreciation for the unique beauty and potential in every person and every situation.   He died Wednesday April 19 at Johns Hopkins University Hospital in Baltimore.  With the support of his devoted family, friends and doctors, Father Rick struggled bravely with leukemia for the past two years.  He has touched the hearts of countless people and will be forever a part of our lives.

Born in  Minneapolis on April 28, 1949, the son of  the late Tom and  Bee Gantert, Father Rick’s family moved to Memphis during his childhood.  He attended St. Therese the Little Flower School in Memphis, and was a graduate of Catholic High in 1967. Father Rick attended St. Ambrose College in Davenport, Iowa graduating in 1971.  In September of the same year he entered Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans, and was ordained a priest on May 24, 1975 at St. Therese the Little Flower Church. Father Rick  served as  Associate Pastor at the Cathedral, then St. Louis Church and later at Holy Spirit Church.  He  served as pastor of St. Mary Church in Camden, TN  from 1981-1987 . . . pastor of Our Lady of Sorrows Church,  Memphis from 1987-2000 . . . and was  made pastor of St. Paul Church,  Memphis in  2000.

Father Rick also served in several Diocesan roles.  He did prison ministry for a number of years, was the Secretary of Catholic Schools for the Diocese, served on the Presbyteral Council, the Diocesan Finance Council and was a member of the College of Consultors.  He was also a member of the Tennessee Public Policy Commission, the public policy voice of the Catholic Church in Tennessee.

Father Rick marveled at the beauty of scripture, the Baptism of a new baby niece, the abundance of an early morning market in Jerusalem, a perfect putt at the 18^th hole, a nephew’s burst of insight, a Grizzlies game.  He had the highest hopes for those Tigers!  He brought humor and joy to each of our lives while holding us to the highest expectations. He listened to our needs and our hearts.  He encouraged us to become the change we hoped to see in the world while reminding us that God does not expect us to be perfect.

Most Reverend J. Terry Steib, SVD, Bishop of the Memphis Diocese said of Father Rick Gantert:  “I’ve known Father Gantert since I first arrived in Memphis.  He was a thoughtful, caring priest.  He was also a friend and I will miss his wise counsel and straight forward awareness of the people around him to whom he ministered.  Rick was a friend of the poor and a careful advocate for justice.   He recognized his illness for what it was and fought it valiantly.  But there is consolation for his fellow priests and me in knowing that God has called him home at this Easter season.  As St. Paul puts it:  ‘In life and in death we are the Lord’s.’   I extend my sympathy and prayers to Father Gantert’s family, and to the faith community at St. Paul Church in Whitehaven.”

Father Rick is survived by his six sisters and brother:  Mary Micallef and Charlie Campbell of Bitburg, her three sons and five grandchildren; Cathy Hughes of Franklin, TN, her husband Bob, their three children and two grandchildren; Barbara Covello of Pleasantville, NY, her three children; Stephanie Sisk of Southaven, MS, her husband Harold, their four children and six grandchildren; Laurie Meddings of Bozeman, MT, her husband Greg and their son; Terry Gantert of Southaven, MS, and her daughter; and Tom Gantert of Charlotte, NC, his wife Maggie and their two children, and Father Rick’s aunts, uncles and cousins.

Rick studied Christ’s words and walked in His footsteps. He comforted, counseled and cared for each of us in His name.  Imagine the conversations they’re having right now! Long ago Rick began his journey to Christ, and he’s left each of us with a higher, clearer and steadier path to follow – and a good personal friend along the way.

Visitation  will  be  at  St. Paul  Church from  5-8p.m.  on  Monday  with  the  Rosary  at  7p.m.  Funeral  Mass  at  St. Paul will  be Tuesday  at  lla.m.  Interment will be  at Calvary  Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to St. Paul Church, 1425 East Shelby Drive, Memphis TN 38116 to be donated in the name of Fr. Rick for the Johns Hopkins Cancer Center.