Fr. Richard Beischel, C.PP.S., 81, died April 27, 2009, in Valdivia, Chile, after a lengthy illness.

He was born Feb. 12, 1928, in Cincinnati to Victor and Edith Frey Beischel.

Surviving are three brothers, Jack (Rosemary), Cincinnati, Fr. Tom Beischel, C.PP.S., St. Charles Center, Carthagena, and Mark (Christine), Omaha, Neb.; two sisters, Jane Molodetz, Geneva, N.Y., and Sr. Lucy Beischel, RSM, Cincinnati; and three sisters-in-law, Grace, Norma and Ann Beischel, all of Cincinnati.

Deceased are three brothers, Robert, David and Paul; and a brother-in-law, Carl Molodetz.

He entered the congregation in 1942 and was ordained June 2, 1956. He then was an associate pastor at St. Philomena Church, Detroit, Immaculate Conception Church, Celina, and St. Andrew Church, Orlando.

In 1963, he volunteered to serve in the community's mission in Chile, where he worked in a parish in Santiago, then in Valdivia, where eventually he became pastor of Precious Blood Church and later business manager of the diocese of Valdivia. After more than 20 years of ministry in Chile, he then became part of the C.PP.S. Mission in Peru. He returned to Chile in 1995, serving as pastor of Christ the King Church in Valdivia until ill health forced his retirement.

A Mass of Christian burial was held in Valdivia on Wednesday. Burial followed there.

A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at St. Charles Center, Carthagena, at 2 p.m. Monday, Father Angelo Anthony officiating with Fr. Tom Beischel as co-celebrant.