NEW LONDON, WI — Fr. Robert Charles Groher, who entered eternal life on October 1, 2025, at the age of 84. Fr. Groher was born on November 3, 1940, in New London, Wisconsin.
He was the son of George and Mildred (Allen) Groher and stepson of Beatrice Manske. He was the cousin of Fathers Leonard Nolan, O.Praem, Stephen J. Rossey, O.Praem, and Thomas Golden. Fr. Groher graduated from Sacred Heart Seminary, Oneida.
In 1962, he earned a bachelor of arts degree in philosophy from St. Meinrad Seminary College, St. Meinrad, Indiana. He earned a master of divinity degree from St. Meinrad School of Theology in 1966. Fr. Groher continued his education in 1990, earning his Doctor of Ministry from St. Mary’s Seminary and University, Baltimore.
Fr. Groher was ordained to the priesthood on May 28, 1966, by Bishop John B. Grellinger at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral in Green Bay.
He faithfully served the Diocese of Green Bay for over five decades, beginning his ministry at St. Joseph Parish, Green Bay. For the first 10 years of his ministry, Fr. Groher was part of the faculty and served as chaplain at St. Francis Xavier High School, Appleton. During this time, he assisted at many parishes and hospitals, including St. Joseph Parish in Phlox, St. Elizabeth Hospital in Appleton, Immaculate Conception Parish in Florence, St. Norbert Parish in Long Lake, St. Mary Parish in Winneconne, Sacred Heart Parish in Shawano, and St. Martin of Tours Parish in Cecil.
In 1968, Fr. Groher joined the faculty and served as chaplain at St. Mary High School, Menasha, followed by a similar role at St. John High School, Little Chute, in 1971.
During his time at St. John High School, he also ministered as campus minister to the Newman Center and Lawrence University. Concluding as chaplain for St. John High School, he added being campus minister for the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, Menasha, and the Fox Valley Technical Institute. In 1973, Fr. Groher returned to parish ministry as associate pastor of St. Margaret Mary Parish in Neenah.
He briefly resumed chaplaincy at St. Francis Xavier High School (1975-1977) before being appointed pastor of Holy Trinity Parish in Jericho and St. Elizabeth Parish in Kloten. In 1978, he became the first resident pastor of St. Raphael the Archangel Parish in Oshkosh. Then, in 1979, he was named pastor of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Parish in Greenville and chaplain for St. Mary’s Hospital in Green Bay. In 1984, he began parish work as administrator at St. Mary Parish in Maplewood while also serving as chaplain for Winnebago Mental Health Institute.
In 1986, Fr. Groher served as chaplain and spiritual director at Holy Name Retreat House on Chambers Island. In 1987, Fr. Groher was appointed as the diocesan director of World Mission Services. He continued in this role until 1994, while also serving as an archivist from 1991-1993.
It was during this time that Fr. Groher developed his advocacy for the very poor, echoing in word and action Christ who said, “As long as you did something for one of these poor, you did this for me (Mt 25:40).” He served as missionary preacher for the Christian Foundation for Children and Aging from 1995-2003, and later in 2004 as missionary preacher for Food for the Poor. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus Council #1475, Oconto. Fr. Groher received senior status in 2010.
Visitation will be held at Most Precious Blood Parish, 120 E. Washington St., New London, on Friday, October 10, 2025, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., with a concluding prayer service at 6:30 p.m. Visitation will then continue at the church on Saturday, October 11, from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the funeral Mass.
The funeral Mass will be celebrated by Bishop David Ricken at Most Precious Blood Parish, New London, at 11:00 a.m. with Fr. Mark Vander Steeg, vicar for priests, as homilist. Burial will follow at 2:00pm in Most Precious Blood Cemetery.