Obituaries

Robert Thomas Dienert

Photo of Robert Thomas Dienert
Father Robert Thomas Dienert entered eternal life on May 9, 2020 in Little Rock, Arkansas. Born in Pittsburgh, Pa., on August 30, 1930, he spent his formative years in Detroit, Mich.. It was in Detroit that he felt called to serve God. He spent some time with the Trappist monks at Gethsemane, Ky., where he was influenced by Thomas Merton. Discerning a vocation to the diocesan priesthood, Fr. Dienert entered St. John's Home Mission Seminary in Little Rock, Ark., to pursue studies for the priesthood. On May 31, 1962, Bishop Albert Fletcher ordained him to the priesthood for the Diocese of Little Rock. After ordination, he served as associate pastor of St. Joseph in Pine Bluff, St. Edward in Texarkana, Our Lady of Good Counsel in Little Rock, Immaculate Conception and Saint Anne in North Little Rock. His first pastorate was Saint Thomas Aquinas in Fayetteville. Over the course of his priesthood he served as pastor of Saint Louis in Camden, St Mary in St. Vincent, St. Jude in Clinton, and St. Francis in Fairfield Bay, Saint Edward in Texarkana, St. Elizabeth in Eureka Springs, St. James in Searcy, and Immaculate Heart of Mary in Marche. In 2011, Fr. Dienert transitioned to senior priest status with residence at Saint John's Manor. In addition to parish ministry, Fr. Dienert taught religion at Mount Saint Mary's in Little Rock and served as a hospital chaplain at Saint Bernard's hospital in Jonesboro. He was the Dean of the North Central Deanery, as well, as serving on several boards and councils of the Diocese. Fr. Dienert is preceded in death by his mother, Nellie Butler, to whom he was devoted; his stepfather Clyde Butler; and one brother, Sonny, who died in infancy. In 1976, Mrs. Butler moved to Arkansas to be near her son. He took care of her until her death in 2008. He is survived by cousins from various parts of the country. All services will be held at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church located at 7006 Jasna Gora Drive, North Little Rock, Ark. 72118. A Visitation will be held at the Church at 6 p.m. followed by a Vigil Service and Rosary at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, May 12, 2021. The Mass of Christian Burial will occur at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church at 11 a.m. on Thursday, May 13, 2021, with burial to follow in the Cemetery of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the Msgr. James O'Connell Seminarian Fund, c/o Catholic Diocese of Little Rock, PO Box 7565, Little Rock, Ark. 72217-7565. Arrangements by Smith North Little Rock Funeral Home, 1921 Main St, North Little Rock, Ark. 72114, 501-758-1170. Online guestbook www.SmithFamilyCares.com

Published May 11, 2021

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