December 17, 2006
Father Robert Kocour
Father Kocour was born on July 16, 1926 in Andale, KS where he also received his early education. Following two years of military service he entered Conception Seminary, Conception, MO to prepare for his ordination by Bishop Carroll on May 29, 1954 at St. Joseph Church, Andale. As an assistant Father Kocour was assigned to only one parish, Our Lady of Lourdes in Pittsburg, after which he became chaplain of the Newman Center at Pittsburg State University. As pastor he served at St. James Parish in Augusta, St. Anne Parish, Wichita, and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, Wichita. He also served two assignments at the diocesan mission in Barquisimeto, Venezuela, 1971 to 1981 and 1992 to 1996. Father Kocour retired at the Priest Retirement Center in July of 1996. During his priesthood he served the diocesan church in many ways: as director of Catholic Social Service (during which time he helped settle many Cuban refugees); spiritual director of the St. Vincent de Paul Society; director of the Family Life Office; director of Marriage Encounter; member of the Committee for the Continuing Education of the Clergy; and director of the Propagation of the Faith. Father Leon Kerschen wrote of Father Kocour, “Father Bob’s sister was married to my brother and we played a lot of cards together at family gatherings. One of the many beautiful memories of Fr. Bob was his roaring laughter after having setting you in a pitch game.” At an interview at the time of his 40th anniversary, Father Kocour said, “It [priesthood] means to me what my life means to me.” (The Catholic Advance, Dec. 22, 2006) He died on December 17, 2006 in his room at the Priest Retirement Center. Bishop Jackels was the principal celebrant at the funeral in St. Joseph Church, Andale. Father Jerome Beat, a co-worker in Barquisimeto, Venezuela, was the homilist. Burial was in the parish cemetery.