Deceased Friars

Roman Pfeiffer, OFM

Roman Pfeiffer

1906 – 1992

Fr. Roman Pfeiffer, OFM, was born in Buffalo, N.Y., on Feb. 7, 1906. After completing two years of studies at St. Bonaventure College, Allegany, N.Y., he was received into the Province’s novitiate at St. Bonaventure Friary in Paterson, N.J., in 1928.

In 1929, he professed temporary vows and made his profession of solemn vows in 1932. Fr. Roman was ordained a priest in 1935 in Washington, D.C.

After his ordination to priesthood, and having completed his theological studies, Fr. Roman went to Germany where he studied biology in Kiel and Munich. His studies were interrupted by World War II, and he eventually received his Ph.D. in biology from Cornell University.

Fr. Roman served as a chaplain in the U.S. Army from 1942 to 1946. He taught biology at St. Bonaventure College and at Siena College in Loudonville, N.Y. While at Siena, he became the dean of the graduate school and served as vice-president.

Ill health plagued Fr. Roman for many years. Even after his career in the classroom ended, he continued to do a great variety of ministries as a friar-priest. He served at University of South Carolina at Columbia in the Newman Club, taught at the St. Joseph’s Seraphic Seminary in Callicoon, N.Y., and was chaplain to the Franciscan Brothers in Smithtown, Long Island. For eight years he was chaplain in Warwick, N.Y.

During his final years, Fr. Roman ministered at St. Francis Chapel in Providence, R.I. until his retirement in 1992 to St. Anthony Friary in St. Petersburg, Fla. His final years were peaceful, and he never lost his desire to be of service to the Province.

He died Aug. 18, 1992, the 64th anniversary of his reception into the Order, at Holy Name Friary in Ringwood, N.J. Fr. Roman was 86 years old, a professed friar for 64 years less a day and a priest for 57 years.

Each of us should be called a lesser brother, a Friar Minor. Each one of us should wash the feet of the others.”

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Roman Pfeiffer, OFM

Roman Pfeiffer

1906 – 1992

Fr. Roman Pfeiffer, OFM, was born in Buffalo, N.Y., on Feb. 7, 1906. After completing two years of studies at St. Bonaventure College, Allegany, N.Y., he was received into the Province’s novitiate at St. Bonaventure Friary in Paterson, N.J., in 1928.

In 1929, he professed temporary vows and made his profession of solemn vows in 1932. Fr. Roman was ordained a priest in 1935 in Washington, D.C.

After his ordination to priesthood, and having completed his theological studies, Fr. Roman went to Germany where he studied biology in Kiel and Munich. His studies were interrupted by World War II, and he eventually received his Ph.D. in biology from Cornell University.

Fr. Roman served as a chaplain in the U.S. Army from 1942 to 1946. He taught biology at St. Bonaventure College and at Siena College in Loudonville, N.Y. While at Siena, he became the dean of the graduate school and served as vice-president.

Ill health plagued Fr. Roman for many years. Even after his career in the classroom ended, he continued to do a great variety of ministries as a friar-priest. He served at University of South Carolina at Columbia in the Newman Club, taught at the St. Joseph’s Seraphic Seminary in Callicoon, N.Y., and was chaplain to the Franciscan Brothers in Smithtown, Long Island. For eight years he was chaplain in Warwick, N.Y.

During his final years, Fr. Roman ministered at St. Francis Chapel in Providence, R.I. until his retirement in 1992 to St. Anthony Friary in St. Petersburg, Fla. His final years were peaceful, and he never lost his desire to be of service to the Province.

He died Aug. 18, 1992, the 64th anniversary of his reception into the Order, at Holy Name Friary in Ringwood, N.J. Fr. Roman was 86 years old, a professed friar for 64 years less a day and a priest for 57 years.