Msgr. Richard Oswald, 84, died Nov. 25

Published: November 26, 2024

"With faith in eternal life and with a heavy heart, I announce Msgr. Richard Oswald died this morning, Nov. 25, 2024, around 11:30 a.m. in Arkansas Hospice after a long illness. Please remember to pray for the repose of Msgr. Oswald and for the consolation of his family. Priests are asked to offer three Masses for Msgr. Oswald, as is our custom," wrote Father Gregory Luyet, judicial vicar, in a statement about the death of Msgr. Oswald. 

The following obituary is courtesy of Arkansas Catholic. To learn more, download the full list of parishes and ministries in which Msgr. Oswald served during his priestly ministry in the Diocese of Little Rock.

"Msgr. Richard S. Oswald, the longtime pastor of St. Vincent de Paul Church in Rogers who once oversaw Little Rock Scripture Study, died Nov. 25 at Arkansas Hospice. He was 84.

"The son of the late Oscar J. and Hilda M. Oswald graduated from Catholic High School in Little Rock and began his priestly formation at St. John Home Mission Seminary in Little Rock. On May 29, 1965, Bishop Albert L. Fletcher ordained him to the priesthood for the Diocese of Little Rock.

"Noting his ordination after Vatican II, he told Arkansas Catholic on his 50th priestly anniversary in 2015, “We were ready to go, go, go, get those council decrees out. It was exciting for me and something I enjoyed very much.”

"For his first assignment, Msgr. Oswald returned to his alma mater to teach high school math and chemistry. He served as associate pastor of Our Lady of Good Counsel in Little Rock. His first pastorate was at St. Mary in McGehee, Holy Child in Dumas and the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Dermott in 1985.

"In 1987, he became pastor of St. Anne in North Little Rock. From 1988-2006, Msgr. Oswald served as pastor of St. Vincent de Paul Church in Rogers during a time of rapid growth. While in Rogers, he was also the dean of the Northwest Deanery.

"In 2006, he served as pastor of Immaculate Conception in Fort Smith until health issues required him to step back from parish administration. He continued to serve as an associate pastor at Christ the King in Little Rock, St. Joseph in Conway, St. Edward in Little Rock and St. Rose of Lima in Carlisle.

"On the diocesan level, he was the director of Family Life, Scripture Studies, Evangelization and Parish Renewal. From 2011-2015, he was the diocesan liturgy director and assistant vocation director. He became a senior priest in 2015, living at the House of Formation on the grounds of his childhood parish, Our Lady of Good Counsel Church in Little Rock, and later at St. John Manor in Little Rock.

"He is survived by three brothers, Father John O. Oswald of Little Rock; Fred M. Oswald and wife, Sarah Spencer of Little Rock; Mark A. Oswald and his wife, Ruth Williams of Santa Fe, N.M.; one sister, Johanna C. Oswald of Little Rock; two sisters-in-law, Judy Langham Oswald of Little Rock and Kim Johnson Oswald of Austin, Texas; nine nieces and nephews; and four great-nieces and nephews.

"He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Kenneth J. Oswald and George E. Oswald.

"The vigil service will be held at 6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 2 at the Cathedral of St. Andrew in Little Rock. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m., Tuesday, Dec. 3 at the Cathedral of St. Andrew. Msgr. Oswald’s ashes will be interred at a later date at Calvary Cemetery in Little Rock."

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord. And let the perpetual light shine upon him. And may he and all the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.