Obituary of Robert Curt Kreml

FR. ROBERT CURTIS KREML 1946 - 2024 Fr. Curt (Robert Curtis) Kreml, OFM Conv., 77, a Franciscan Friar of Our Lady of the Angels Province, died peacefully on Thursday, July 4, 2024, at Port St. Lucie, FL. Born in Oak Park, IL on September 22, 1946, he was a son of the late Robert and Ellen (nee Dillon) Kreml. In addition to his Franciscan family, he leaves his sister, Bette Lybrook of Las Vegas, NV; and brother, Thomas Kreml of Las Vegas, NV, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brothers Norman and Roger Kreml. The Kreml family moved from Illinois to Phoenix, where Curt was raised, eventually settling in Las Vegas. He earned his B.A. in Political Science from the University of San Francisco in 1968. After graduation, he enlisted in the Army, stationed in Germany for three years and serving in Vietnam before his honorable discharge. Friar Curt entered the Novitiate of the Conventual Franciscans in Lake Forest, IL in September 1972, making his first profession of vows on July 28, 1973. He completed theological studies at St. Anthony-on-Hudson Seminary in Rensselaer, NY, professing Solemn Vows on October 7, 1975, before earning his M.Div. in 1976. He was ordained to the Priesthood on July 17, 1976. Fr. Curt served three years as the Assistant Pastor of Assumption Church in Syracuse. From 1978 to 1982, Fr. Curt attended St. Patrick's College in Ireland, earning his S.T.L., a degree he used as a professor of Moral Theology at St. Anthony-on-Hudson. In 1988, he began an eight-year tenure as Chaplain and Campus Minister at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, NC; during this time, he served a term as Director of Campus Ministry for the Diocese of Charlotte. After taking a sabbatical year, Fr. Curt served as Director of Candidates in Philadelphia from 1997 until 2005, when he became Pastor of St. Peter Church in Point Pleasant, NJ, ministering there through 2011. Returning to formation work for a few years, Fr. Curt became the Co-Director of the Post-Novitiate program in Silver Spring, MD. In 2014, Fr. Curt began his last assignment, as Parochial Vicar of St. Lucie Parish in Port St. Lucie, FL. visitation hours will be held Thursday July 25 4pm-7pm St. Peter Catholic Church (406 Forman Avenue, Point Pleasant Beach NJ 08742), with a Franciscan Wake Service at 7pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Friday July 26 at 11am. Internment at a later date at Our Lady of Lourdes Cemetery, Trenton NJ. Memorial Donations may be made to the Franciscan Education Burse (12300 Folly Quarter Road, Ellicott City MD 21042).