Reverend Robert Matthew Feller, O. Praem., age 93, a member of the Norbertine Community of St. Norbert Abbey, De Pere, WI, and a Norbertine priest, passed into God's eternal kingdom on 8 February 2016.
Father Feller was born on 28 December 1922, in Green Bay, WI, to George and Pearl (Heller) Feller. His home parish was Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church, Green Bay, WI.
In 1942, Father Feller graduated from West High School, Green Bay, WI. He received a B.A. degree in Philosophy from St. Norbert College, De Pere, WI, in 1952.
Upon entering St. Norbert Abbey, he was vested as a novice on 28 August 1949. He professed Simple Vows on 28 August 1951, Solemn Vows on 28 August 1954, and was ordained to the Priesthood on 4 June 1955.
Father Feller began his teaching assignments at St. Norbert High School in De Pere, WI in 1954. His parochial and chaplaincy ministry included numerous Pastorates in the Green Bay area. Father Feller was a Military Chaplain in the United States Air Force. He served as Director of Pastoral Services and Chaplain at St. Mary Hospital Medical Center in Green Bay, WI for many years. He was Chaplain at Veterans Administration Medical Center and Veterans Administration Hospital, Tuskegee, AL from 1983 until 1993. Although retiring from external ministerial duties in 2001, he continued Internal Ministry at St. Norbert Abbey, ministering to his Norbertine Confreres and abbey employees with any number of charitable acts of kindness. In a spirit of gratitude and thanksgiving, Father Feller celebrated the 60th Anniversary of his Priesthood Ordination on 5 June 2015.
Father Feller is survived by the Norbertine Community and one sister, Mary Bajorek, Suamico, WI.; three nieces, Susan Joppe, Kathy Hanson and Jean (Don) Pearson; and several great- nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, James.
Funeral services for Father Feller will begin with Lauds of the Dead at 8:00 AM on Saturday, 13 February 2016 with Visitation to follow until the concelebrated Mass of Christian Burial at St. Norbert Abbey at 11:00 AM. Rt. Rev. Gary J. Neville, O. Praem., Abbot of St. Norbert Abbey, will preside at the funeral liturgy.
Burial will be in the St. Norbert Cemetery.