IN REMEMBRANCE: Fr. Ramon Dompke, C.Ss.R.
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January 20, 2024Beloved Fr. Ramon “Ray” Dompke died unexpectedly on January 7 at the rectory of St. Michael Church in Old Town, Chicago – where he was baptized on January 8, 1939, exactly 85 years ago. A generous Redemptorist missionary with a ready smile and a loving spirit, Fr. Ray was as dedicated to serving his confreres in community as he was to the countless people he encountered in more than 50 years of parish ministry throughout the Midwest.
Roman and Marie Dompke welcomed Ramon Richard to their family on December 18, 1938. He and his three siblings grew up around the Redemp- torists at St. Michael’s in Old Town, and attended St. Michael Elementary School. As a fifth-grader, Ray was thrilled to be chosen to serve at the magnificent altar in the historic church. He attended St. Joseph’s.
Preparatory Seminary in Kirkwood, MO, where the friendly student established life-long friendships. He proceeded to novitiate at Mount St. Clement’s in DeSoto, MO and professed temporary vows on August 2, 1959. After completing theological studies at Immaculate Conception Seminary in Oconomowoc, WI, he professed perpetual vows on September 2, 1962 and was ordained to the priesthood by Auxiliary Bishop Roman Atkielski, DD of Milwaukee on July 2, 1964.
Newly ordained Fr. Ray completed advanced courses in Religious Education during Tirocinium at St. Alphonsus “Rock” Parish, establishing a strong foundation for his five decades of parish ministry. Like many young priests of that era, Fr. Ray was assigned to serve in a supportive role as associate pastor.
He served at seven parishes during the next 29 years: St. Alphonsus Parish in Daven- port, IA (1966-1973); Holy Name Parish in Omaha, NE (1973-1977); St. Alphonsus “Rock” Parish (1977-1978); Holy Redeemer Parish in Detroit, MI (1978-1981); St. Alphonsus Parish in Davenport (1981-1982); St. Michael Parish in Chicago (1982-1993); and St. Alphonsus Parish in Chicago (1993-1995).
Fr. Ray was appointed pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish on the West Side of Chicago in 1995. He was sincerely dedicated to serving the poor, and was very well known in his home town after more than a decade of ministry. Wealthier parishes in the area responded to his requests for financial assistance, food donations, and even Christmas presents for the little ones. He was a beloved pastor who animated the parish community for an entire decade before the parish was closed in 2005.
Fr. Ray was appointed bursar of the Villa Redeemer/ North American Novitiate community in Glenview, IL in 2005. In addition to managing the finances, he made significant improvements to the building to enhance the property, like painting and purchasing new furnishings.Fr. Ray was grateful to return to the staff at St. Michael’s, where he served for the next eight years. He felt blessed to be near his family, especially his elderly mother, whom he visited every week until she died at the age of 105 in 2019. In addition to serving the parish community, he volunteered to preach Foreign Mission appeals throughout the Midwest until his health began to decline. Although he had to step away from active ministry recently, he continued to participate fully in community life and serve his Redemptorist brothers with countless small acts of kindness.
Confreres, family members and friends are gathering at St. Michael’s for Visitation at 9:00 am and a Mass of Resurrection at 10:00 am on Friday, January 12. Interment is scheduled at the Redemptorist Cemetery in Liguori on Saturday, January 20.
Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace.
(Includes contributions from Br. Dan Hall, Fr. Larry Sanders & Br. Paul Yasenak.)
