Rev. Eugene P. Selzer
Deceased: 2019-03-22
Diocese: ST LOUIS
CSM Graduation Year: 1968
JUNE 25, 1934 – MARCH 22, 2019
Reverend Father Eugene Paul Selzer was born on June 25, 1934 to the late Helen (Rau) Selzer and Arthur Selzer in St. Louis, Missouri. He attended St. Stephen Protomartyr Grade School, St. Louis Preparatory Seminary and Cardinal Glennon College. In 1954, Fr. Selzer furthered his education at Catholic University of America in Washington, DC, where, in 1957, he earned his Master of Arts in Philosophy, and his Licentiate in Sacred Theology in 1961. On March 18, 1961, Fr. Selzer was ordained by Cardinal Ritter. In May of the same year, he was assigned to Mary Queen of the Universe, and also became a part-time religion teacher at DuBourg High School.
In 1965, Fr. Selzer traveled to Rome to study at the Pontifical Liturgical Institute of San Anselmo; his Doctor of Sacred Theology, with a specialization in Liturgy, was conferred in 1969.
From 1969 until 1988, Fr. Gene was assigned part time to Holy Family (1969-1971) St. Ambrose (’71-’73), St. Martin of Tours (’73-’77), St. Richard (’77-’84) and St. James the Greater (’84-’87) while also serving full time as a Professor of Liturgy at Kenrick Seminary. In June 1987, he was assigned as a full time associate at St. William, where, in 1997, he became Pastor and served in that capacity until June 2002. He became a senior associate at St. Sabina (’02-’03) as well as St. Alban Roe (’03-’04). In June 2004, Fr. Gene went to St. Andrew, where he was Pastor until June 2009.
Fr. Gene retired, in residence, to St. Matthias in June 2009, and in October 2012,
His affiliation with the St. Louis Byzantine Catholic Mission began in the 1980s, and on December 15, 1985, Bishop Andrew Pataki named Fr. Selzer administrator of the St. Louis Mission, a newly designated independent parish within the Eparchy of Parma.
Fr. Gene has pursued his love of music with five years of piano lessons, and in his spare time, enjoyed a great variety of hobbies and interests that took him to all parts of the world, including wilderness backpacking, yachting, river rafting, canoeing, fishing, photography (darkroom development and digital), skiing, biking, cycling, cooking and wine making. He is a certified (Caribbean) scuba diver, speaks German and Italian, and enjoys classical music.
Reverend Eugene Paul Selzer, fortified with the Sacraments of Holy Mother Church, Friday, March 22, 2019.
Beloved brother of Janet (the late Ernest) Velasco and Marie (Ron) Peters. Our dear uncle, great-uncle, great-great uncle and devoted friend to many.
If desired, please make expressions of sympathy in Rev.Selzer’s memory to Catholic Charities, 4445 Lindell Blvd. St. Louis, MO 63108 or Birthright Counseling of St. Louis, 2525 S. Brentwood, Suite 102, St. Louis, MO 63144
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, March 27, 2019 at St. Matthias Catholic Church, 796 Buckley Road at 10:00 a.m. Interment will follow in Resurrection Cemetery. Visitation at St. Matthias Catholic Church on Tuesday, March 26, 2019 from 4-8 p.m.
Please share memories and offer condolences at hoffmeistersouthcounty.com
