Rev. Robert Landewe

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- The Rev. Robert "Bob" A. Landewe, 88, entered into his eternal rest Monday, Dec. 13, 2021, at Springfield Villa in Springfield.

He was born July 19, 1933, in Laflin, Missouri, to Robert and Ida Elfrink Landewe.

He attended St. Louis Prep Seminary and Kenrick Seminary in St. Louis. The Rev. Landewe was ordained a Roman Catholic priest on March 15, 1959, by the late Bishop Charles H. Helmsing, in his home parish, St. John Catholic Church in Leopold, Missouri. He was a faithful and devoted priest of the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau in Southern Missouri for over 62 years.

The Rev. Landewe's first assignment for the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau was associate pastor at Sacred Heart Parish in Poplar Bluff on April 1, 1959. He later served as associate pastor at St. Augustine in Kelso and St. Mary's Cathedral in Cape Girardeau. His first appointment as pastor was on Aug. 17, 1966, for Sacred Heart, Willow Springs; St. Mark, Houston, and St. Joseph, White Church. During his priestly ministry, he went on to be pastor for St. Henry, Charleston; Holy Trinity, Aurora; Sacred Heart, Salem; Christ the King, Bunker, and St. Jude, Montauk. He also served as parochial administrator for St. Canera, Neosho; Nativity of Our Lord, Noel, and St. Mary's, Seneca. His last pastorate was at St. Susanne Parish in Mount Vernon and St. Patrick Mission in Greenfield.

Some of the Rev. Landewe's many other assignments included: chaplain at the veterans hospital in Poplar Bluff; chaplain of the Poplar Bluff Civil Air Patrol Unit; director for CYC-Poplar Bluff Deanery; teacher at Notre Dame Regional High School in Cape Girardeau; Deanery Director for Radio and TV Apostolate of West Plains and chaplain at Camp Re-New-All.

He retired from active ministry Aug. 17, 2005, and eventually took up residence at St. Joseph Parish in Springfield, where he continued offering sacramental ministry and assistance when needed. During retirement, he also served as a hospice volunteer and was a cheerful and welcomed companion to many as they faced the end of life.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, RoseMary Landewe Arnzen, and brother-in-law, Henry, of Leopold.

He is survived by his two brothers, Bernard (Shari) of Cape Girardeau and Jim (Joan) of Springfield, and 22 nieces and nephews.

The Rev. Landewe requested his body be donated to Saint Louis University Medical Center for medical research. There will be two memorial Masses celebrated. The first will be at 10 a.m. Monday at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Springfield. The second will be at 11 a.m. on his ordination anniversary, March 15, 2022, at St. John Catholic Church in Leopold.

If desired, memorial contributions in the Rev. Landewe's memory may be made to the Catholic Charities of Southern Missouri.

Herman H. Lohmeyer Funeral Home in Springfield is in charge of arrangements.

Online condolences and stories may be shared at hhlohmeyer.com.