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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Obituary: Rekofke,, Rev. Robert F. S.J.

Age 89

REKOFKE, Rev.

Robert F. S.J.

Rev.

Robert “Rock” Rekofke, SJ, died August 11, 2014, at Hospice House, Spokane.

He was 89.

A well-loved priest, pastor, and high school teacher, Fr.

Rekofke thoroughly enjoyed spending time with people of all ages, listening to their unique life stories and helping them to see the goodness in themselves.

The fourth of five siblings, Robert Francis Rekofke was born in Centralia, WA, on August 6, 1925, to Joseph and Elizabeth (Bieker) Rekofke.

He did his formal schooling in Spokane (Sacred Heart Grade and Gonzaga Preparatory Schools).

At the conclusion of his service in the Navy during WWII, he entered the Jesuit Novitiate at Sheridan, Oregon in September 1947 and followed the regular course of studies and training.

Fr.

Rekofke was ordained a priest on June 13, 1959, in Spokane.

Although Fr.

Rekofke taught high school Latin and Religion for ten years after his ordination (Bellarmine Preparatory, Tacoma, and Gonzaga Preparatory, Spokane), his great love and passion was for parish work and helping people.

He was versatile in serving both short and longer parish assignments; he went from Lewiston to Big Sandy, MT, to Seattle, Sequim, Vancouver, and Tacoma, WA.

Wherever Fr.

Rekofke was assigned he was a source of joy and consolation to the congregations and a friend to those in need.

He saw and proclaimed our Catholic Christian faith as one that must be lived out fully, nurtured when fragile and challenged to strive to greater things when strong.

Fr.

Rekofke is survived by his older sister, Sally Olstad (Don) of Spokane.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Elizabeth Rekofke; his older sister, Armella Roberg (Ed); older brother, Joe (Jeannea); and his younger brother, Ed (Maxine).

He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews, grand nieces and nephews, cousins, friends, and his brother Jesuits of the Oregon Province.

A vigil service will be held on Friday, August 15, 2014, at 7:00pm in the Jesuit House Chapel at Gonzaga University.

The funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10am, Saturday, August 16, 2014, in St Aloysius Church.

A reception will follow in O’Malley Hall.

Interment will be at 1:00 pm the same day at the Oregon Province Cemetery, Mt.

St. Michaels Cemetery.

Contributions in honor of Fr.

Rekofke may be sent to: The Senior Fund, c/o The Oregon Province Society of Jesus (PO Box 86010, Portland, OR 97286), or Hospice of Spokane (PO Box 2215, Spokane, WA 99210).