October 21, 2009

Retired priest Father Breunig dies at 82

By Denver Catholic Register

Father Robert L. Breunig, a retired priest, died Oct. 15 in Denver.  He was 82. 

The son of Wilbur and Pearl Breunig, he was born on Feb. 18, 1927, in Denver.  He attended East High School and Regis High School, graduating in 1944. He then entered St. Thomas Seminary to study for the priesthood. 

Ordained for the Denver Archdiocese on June 2, 1951, his first assignment was as assistant at the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception.  After five years Father Breunig was assigned to St. Nicholas Mission in Platteville and St. William Parish in Fort Lupton. 

Other assignments included St. Mary’s in Brush and St. Francis of Assisi Mission in Weldona.  He served as pastor at St. John the Evangelist in Loveland, Sacred Heart in Peetz, St. Anthony in Julesburg, St. Patrick in Holyoke, Christ the King in Haxtun and St. Peter in Kremmling. 

He was also chaplain for the U.S. Air Force Academy.  After a nine-year stint as pastor of Sacred Heart of Jesus in Roggen, Father Breunig retired in 1992.

In 2001, when he was celebrating his golden jubilee, Father Breunig told the Denver Catholic Register that what he found most enjoyable about being a “country priest,” other than knowing he was serving God, were the people of his northeastern Colorado parishes.

“They were all so wonderful,” he said.

Little Sister of the Poor Mother Paul Magyar, administrator of the order’s Mullen Home, where Father Breunig lived for many years, called her friend “a priestly priest.”

“He had a hidden but very active apostolate here in our community,” she said. “He was dearly loved and we were all saddened at his passing. He was uplifting, always carrying around a smile and was interested in people’s lives and took time to listen.  I don’t think that anyone could say enough good things about him.”

Visitation is set for 6 p.m. Oct. 21 at Mullen Home Chapel, 3629 W. 29th Ave., Denver, with a rosary at 7 p.m. Funeral Mass is scheduled for 2 p.m. Oct. 22 at the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, 1530 Logan St. Interment will be at Mount Olivet Cemetery, 12801 W. 44th Ave., in Wheat Ridge.