Rev. Robert A. Hart
Deceased: 2008-09-25
Diocese: GRAND RAPIDS
ICTE Fall: 1988
Dean of Muskegon priests ‘Father Bob’ dies at 60 By John W. Stephenson
The people who knew the Rev. Robert Hart best recall him as a spiritual leader who devoted himself to ministry, an uncle and godfather who cherished children, and a world traveler who cultivated friendships wherever he went.
Hart, dean of Muskegon-area Catholic churches and pastor of North Muskegon’s Prince of Peace Catholic Church, died Thursday, Septmebt 25, 2008, after nearly a year’s battle with cancer. Hart was 60.
Jennifer Hart-Locke, who was Hart’s niece and goddaughter, said he conducted his bout with cancer with courage and dignity. “He was such a fighter,” she said.
During his 33 years in the priesthood, Hart, fondly known as “Father Bob,” touched lives of both parishioners and staff, according to people close to him.
“To work under him as a leader was a gift because he really trusted you,” said Chris Barnhill, director of liturgy and music at Prince of Peace Catholic Church. “I never felt I didn’t have his backing.”
Hart-Locke, a registered nurse by profession, was Hart’s medical advocate and caretaker for most of the past year. For most of that period, she also has served as caretaker as well for Robert Hart, Hart-Locke’s father and Hart’s brother.
Even after long debilitating periods of treatment, Hart would come back to Prince of Peace Catholic Church to say Mass and conduct weddings and funerals.
“It was a blessing to take care of him,” Hart-Locke said. “It was a blessing to be there when he took his last breath.
“He was an amazing man.”
Born inMuskegon, Hart grew up as a member of Sacred Heart Patish inMuskegonHeights. He earned his high school diploma at St. Joseph’s Seminary inGrand Rapids. He received his bachelor of arts degree at St. Mary’s Seminary in Baltimore and his master’s degree atSt. John’sProvidence Seminary inProvidence, Mich.
After his ordination into the priesthood in 1975, Hart had numerous assignments across the Diocese of Grand Rapids. In 1980, he was pastor of St. Mary of the Woods Catholic Church in Lakewood Club. For the next 11 years, he was pastor of Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church. Since 1997, he has been pastor of Prince of Peace Catholic Church.
He twice headed the Muskegon Catholic deanery, from 1988 to 1999 and from 1997 to the present.
In worship, Barnhill said, Hart reached people with his gifts of humor and vitality. “He was just such a gift to the community,” Barnhill said. “He would pray the liturgy. The Catholic liturgy is very scripted, but he would make it apply to people’s lives.”
Hart-Locke said Hart’s illness underscored the significance of his presence in parishioners’ lives.
“Until he got sick, I never understood what he did,” she said. “Then I said, ‘Holy cow, these people really love him.’ ”
Hart was a gardener, a devotedUniversityofMichigansports fan and an enthusiastic world traveler. He hosted many trips to the Holy Land, Israel, Mexico, Germany, Ireland and Italy as well as cruise trips to the Caribbean islands, Hawaii, the Panama Canal and the Mexican Riviera.
Hart’s illness prompted a torrent of prayer by parishioners and other supporters over the past year. On Tuesday, after it became apparent that Hart’s condition was critical, a prayer service of comfort and healing was held at Prince of Peace Church.
On Friday morning, when parishioners attended Mass, a hand-written message on a chalkboard greeted them, reading, “Eternal rest grant unto Father Bob, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine unto him.”
Hart is survived, among others, by his three brothers, Tom Hart ofSpringLake, and Dick and Dave Hart, both of Fruitport; his sister, Maryann E. Beardsley of Muskegon; and numerous nieces, nephews and godchildren.
A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Monday at Prince of Peace Church, 1110 Dykstra. The Most Rev. Walter A. Hurley, bishop of the Diocese of Grand Rapids, will be the celebrant, and the Rev. Phillip J. Witkowski will be the homilist. Hart’s brother priests of the diocese will concelebrate. Arrangements are by the Lee Chapel and Sytsema Funeral Homes.
In lieu of flowers, the Hart family has requested that donors make contributions to the Rev. Fr. Robert A. Hart Scholarship Fund, care of Muskegon County Catholic Education Foundation, 1851 Barclay, Muskegon; or to Harbor Hospice,1050 W. Western Ave., Suite 400, Muskegon.
