Rev. Richard R. Fries, MM

Deceased: 2014-04-26

Diocese: MARYKNOLL

ICTE Spring: 1991

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Father Richard R. Fries, M.M., a missioner to the Philippines and China, died April 26 at Creek View Hospice in Las Vegas, Nev. He was 66.

He was assigned to the Philippines following his ordination in 1976, serving as a teacher and counselor at a home for poor youth in Quezon City. He also taught theology at Maryknoll College. In 1978 he was appointed Maryknoll’s regional assistant for the area. He served as local superior and regional financial assistant at the Maryknoll Center House in Sasa, Davao, 1987-1991.

In 1994, he returned to the United States, where he served in California, Arizona and Nevada. He was named director of Maryknoll House in Los Angeles in 1997.

He went back to the Philippines the next year to pursue a master’s in business at Ateneo Business School in Makati, Metro Manila. He returned to the United States in 2001 to serve as assistant treasurer at Maryknoll. In 2004 he was appointed director of Maryknoll’s Mission Education and Promotion Department.

He was assigned to Hong Kong, China in 2009. After studying Mandarin he was sent to Jilin City in the People’s Republic of China to work at the university there. He retired in 2013.

Born in Geisen, Germany, he entered Maryknoll in 1962 and professed final vows in 1976. He held a bachelor’s in literature from Maryknoll College, Glen Ellyn, Ill., and master’s degrees in divinity, theology and business.

A sister, Judy Walls, survives him. A Memorial Mass was offered May 14 at the Maryknoll Mission Center in Ossining. A Memorial Mass had been celebrated in Davao, Philippines April 30. His remains were cremated.