Fr. Richard Robert Farmer, O.P., Mass of Christian Burial Thursday, August 22, 2006
Rev. Richard Robert Farmer     Born: January 9, 1924       Professed: September 30, 1950 Ordained: June 10, 1955     Died: August 18, 2006
Rev. Richard Robert Farmer, O.P., a member of the Dominican Province of St. Albert the Great, died Friday, August 18, 2006, in Chicago, Illinois, after a prolonged illness. Born on January 9, 1924, the son of the late Arthur William and Edith Genevieve Farmer of Omaha, NE, he was the brother of the late William Farmer and is survived by his sister Margaret Mary ''Peg'' Jackson of Omaha, his sister Patricia ''Pat'' (Edward) Atwood of Springfield, VA; cousin Roseanne (Don) Roden of Auburn, CA and cousin Phyllis (Mike) Mercurio of Merrimac, WI. He is also survived by 14 nieces and nephews, numerous great and great-great nieces and nephews and many friends. Fr. Farmer entered the Dominicans in 1949 and was ordained a priest in 1955. He was sent to the missions in Nigeria in 1957 where he spent the next 33 years as a teacher and pastor. Services were be held Tuesday, August 22 at St. Pius V Catholic Church, 1909 S. Ashland Ave., Chicago. Viewing at 9:15 a.m. followed by the Office of the Dead at 9:30 a.m. and the Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers please make donations to the St. Dominic Mission Society, 1909 S. Ashland Ave., Chicago, IL 60608. 773-736-3833 or www.smithcorcoran.com. *    *    *    *    * From the Arlington Catholic Herald, Arlington Virginia http://www.catholicherald.com/articles/05articles/priests0512.htm Fr. Richard Farmer, O.P. Dominican Father Richard Farmer was ordained a priest on June 10, 1955. Father Farmer is from Omaha, Neb., where he graduated from Creighton Preparatory School and went to Iowa State University where he studied electrical engineering. He left school during World War II when he served in the Army Signal Corps in New Guinea and the Philippines. He returned to Iowa State after the war and earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering. He worked in New Jersey after graduation where he became interested in the Dominican Order. He studied at Providence College for a year and then at Winona, Minn., River Forest, Ill., Oakland, Calif., and Dubuque, Iowa. He received master’s degrees in philosophy and theology. He was ordained while in California by Bishop Hugh Donahue, Auxiliary Bishop of San Francisco, in St. Mary Cathedral in San Francisco. His first assignment was to Nigeria where he served for 33 years. For 12 of those years he taught philosophy at the State University of Oyo State, the University of Ife. He later served as pastor and prior of St. Dominics, Yaba, Lagos State. When he returned to the U.S., he served as procurator of the Dominican Priory in River Forest, Ill., for eight years. At that time he also served as assistant Catholic chaplain at O’Hare International Airport. Father Farmer came to the Washington area three years ago and continues his airport chaplaincy, serving as chaplain at both Reagan National Airport and Dulles Airport. He is currently in residence at St. Dominic’s Priory in Washington. *    *    *    *    * Guestbook posting: August 21, 2006 Father Farner was a fraternity brother and the best man at our wedding in 1943 when we were both in the service. We were sent overseas to the SWP. Over the years he has been a good friend and has visited us often.    We will miss him.      Ray and Garnet Berg (Rolling Hils Est., CA )
	Homily of Fr. Greg Moore, O.P.

Homily of Fr. Greg Moore, O.P. at the Funeral Mass. In RealAudio. Click this link to hear with RealAudio.

This tribute to Fr. Farmer was read at the funeral mass.

A tribute in honor of Father Richard Farmer O.P.,
on the occasion of his 50th priestly anniversary (June 10, 2005)
By Father Vitalis Anyanike.

I wrote this testament with joy and gratitude on this noble occasion as we gather to celebrate with Father Farmer on his 50t h priestly anniversary. What a joy and honor to remember the numerous works done by Father Farmer when he was a missionary to my country Nigeria.

Father Farmer is indeed an outstanding priest of God. He was my pastor at St. Dominic Catholic Church Yaba, Lagos Nigeria. Although I was little boy when he was my pastor, he left a good and inspiring print in many of us. We loved him and still love him. He led us in worship of the Lord and he was a strong community leader whose contribution marks no boundary. He reached out to the poor and rich alike. Like Saint Paul he became all things to all people so that salvation may not be denied to them.

It was Father Farmer who began the construction of our parish church that seats 5,000 people. I still have the image of him walking around the church ground fixing things. I saw him doing electrical works, cutting lawns, climbing the roof. He was never shy of work. He labored tirelessly for the Lord and for our people. I wish I could be in there in person to thank him again.

I was lucky to have met his niece Kathy Jackson of Omaha where I am currently living and working as a catholic priest ordained for the archdiocese of Omaha. Today I am a missionary in Omaha Nebraska following the footsteps of Father Farmer and his Dominican Family that came to my home parish in Africa in early 1950.

With renewed thanks to Father Farmer, a seasoned missionary, a dedicated pastor who loved my people with all his heart and soul. Thank you for your presence in Africa, Thank you for helping us come to know to Christ Jesus. Thank you for your numerous contributions in the areas of education, health and social well being of my people. We can never thank you enough but may the good Lord bless and reward you abundantly. We love and still miss you, May Our Lady Queen of African Nations and Star of Evangelization protect you now and always. Amen.

Ad Gentes Mission Society, Rindone House, 4314 Aurora Drive, Omaha NE 68134

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