Rev. Robert Kash, Pastor Emeritus of St. Fabian, Dies At Age 92

BRIDGEVIEW, IL -- The Rev. Robert J. Kash passed away Feb. 27, at age 92. Fr. Kash was the pastor emeritus of St. Fabian Catholic Church in Bridgeview. He was recalled by his fellow Archdiocesan priests as a kind and respectful man who would always himself last.

Fr. Kash was born on Sept. 16, 1925 in Chicago to Helen (Kunka) and Bernard B. Kash, who preceded him in death. He attended St. Bruno Catholic School and Quigley Preparatory Seminary, both in Chicago. He earned his master’s degree in 1951 and licentiate of sacred theology in 1952 from the University of St. Mary of the Lake / Mundelein Seminary. He was ordained into the priesthood on May 1, 1952 by Samuel Cardinal Stritch, Archbishop of Chicago, and celebrated his first Solemn Mass at St. Bruno Catholic Church in Chicago on May 4, 1952.

After ordination to priesthood, Fr. Kash served as assistant pastor in four parishes: St. Joseph Parish in Chicago Heights (1952-62), St. Florian Parish on 131st Street in Chicago (1962-63), St. Wenceslaus Parish on Monticello Avenue in Chicago (1963-67) and St. Michael Parish on South Shore Drive in Chicago (1967-71). Fr. Kash then served as pastor of Ss. Peter & Paul Parish on S. Exchange in Chicago from 1971 through 1977.
Fr. Kash continued to serve the archdiocese as associate pastor of St. Pascal Parish on Irving Park Road in Chicago (1982-84) and as pastor of St. Fabian Parish in Bridgeview, (1984-95). He was bestowed the title of pastor emeritus of St. Fabian Parish and retired in 1995.

Even in retirement, Fr. Kash continued to assist as an administrator of St. Denis Parish on St. Louis Avenue in Chicago and Our Lady of the Snows Parish on Leamington Avenue in Chicago. Bishop John R. Gorman, one of Fr. Kash's 13 classmates, has known Fr. Kash since high school and remembers him as a well-read and good writer.

"He loved St. Fabian and parishioners loved their great pastor," added Bishop Gorman.

Another classmate Bishop Raymond E. Goedert, recalled Fr. Kash as a quiet man.

"We got to know each other better at Mundelein (Seminary)," Bishop Goedert said. "He was a very intelligent man .... Our class saw him as a poet and a very good writer."

Rev. Thomas Healy described Fr. Kash as an exemplary priest: very kind, respectful and dedicated.

"He would always put himself last,” Fr. Healy said.

Fr. Kash was cherished brother of Bernard B. (Lorraine) Kash, the late Theresa Kash and the late Thomas J. (Mary Ann) Kash, fond uncle of Robert J. (Eileen) Kash, Donald J. (Carole) Kash, James J. (Kathy) Kash, Diane (Patrick) McDonald, Bernard B. III (Karen) Kash, Joseph J. (Virginia) Kash, Thaddeus J. (Michelle) Kash, Paul J. (Lynne) Kash, Thomas A. Kash, Nancy A. (Ron) Gray, Karen M. (Wayne) Moore, Raymond D. (Debra) Kash and the late Steven M. Kash, and great-uncle to many nieces & nephews.

Fr. Kash will be lying in state from 1 to 9 p.m. Monday, March 5 at St. Fabian Church, 8300 S. Thomas Ave. A funeral Mass will take place on Tuesday, March 6 at 10:30 a.m. Bishop Goedert will be the main celebrant of the Funeral Mass, and Fr. Healy will be the homilist. Interment will take place at Resurrection Cemetery in Justice. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Hann Funeral Home in Bridgeview. For more information contact the funeral home at 708-496-3344 or visit Hann’s website.

In lieu of flowers, donations to Priest Retirement & Mutual Aid Association, 4951 Harrison St., Hillside, IL 60162 or Mundelein Seminary – University of St. Mary of the Lake, Mundelein, will be gratefully accepted.

Photo: Robert J. Kash | Provided by Family