DETROIT –– Msgr. Richard Anthony Osebold passed away on Jan. 14, at 86 years old, after spending 60 years of his life in service of the priesthood. 

Msgr. Osebold was ordained a priest by Cardinal John Dearden on June 4, 1960, after attending both Sacred Heart High School and Seminary.  He served as an associate pastor at St. Mary of Redford Parish in Detroit from 1960-62 before beginning a teaching career at Sacred Heart Seminary, where he served on the faculty from 1968-75 and as rector from 1975-76.

“I recall his generous and gentle spirit and one who continued his own intellectual formation his whole life,” said Sacred Heart’s current rector, Msgr. Todd Lajiness. “As a seminary community, we pray for the repose of his soul, and thank God for his many contributions to Sacred Heart over the years.”

Msgr. Osebold served as pastor of St. John Bosco Parish in Redford for 34 years before retiring and being granted senior priest status in 2018. That year, the parish merged with St. Robert Bellarmine Parish to create St. John XXIII Parish in Redford.

At Msgr. Osebold’s funeral Mass on Jan. 21 at St. John XXIII, Msgr. Charles Kosanke reflected on the fact that Msgr. Osebold had put his doctorate in classical languages to use at Sacred Heart, where he had taught Msgr. Kosanke among hundreds of other archdiocesan priests over the years. 

“He taught hundreds of seminarians, including myself, Latin,” said Msgr. Kosanke, rector of the Basilica of Ste. Anne and pastor of Most Holy Trinity Parish in Detroit. “And it was probably around that time that he lost his hair,” he jokingly added.  

Msgr. Kosanke said family members described Msgr. Osebold as a “superhero.” 

“He dedicated his life to spiritually saving others in his distinctive garb, which we call ‘clerics.’ And there was always a mysterious, quiet side to Fr. Richard,” Msgr. Kosanke said. 

After his retirement, Msgr. Osebold was given the honorary title of “monsignor” in 2019 by Pope Francis. 

“It’s an honor, and I receive it as such,” Msgr. Osebold told Detroit Catholic at the time. “There are a lot of other priests in the diocese who have done noble work, and it feels a little humbling to be given that honor amidst all of them.” 

At the time, Msgr. Osebold told Detroit Catholic that he was grateful for his 58 years in active ministry. 

“That has been my greatest blessing,” Msgr. Osebold said. “The gift of ministry is being with the people who were great to me, and who I came to love, and they loved me. It was very rewarding, but the greatest day was the day I was ordained to be a priest in the Archdiocese of Detroit and to minister in the Church.”

Msgr. Osebold was predeceased by his parents, Frank Osebold and Mae Osebold, and his eight brothers and sisters. He is survived by multiple nieces and nephews.

Donations may be made to St. John XXIII Parish, Sacred Heart Major Seminary, the Capuchins, or The Society of St. Vincent de Paul.