Birth date: Jun 4, 1950 Death date: Aug 2, 2025
The Reverend Robert B. Wachter, beloved priest of the Diocese of Wichita, entered into eternal rest on August 2, 2025, at the age of 75. Known for his humble spirit, deep devotion to the Church, and unwavering love for his family, Read Obituary
My sympathy and prayers to the family for this loss. Fr. Bob's first assignment to All Saints touched my family in many, many ways. He was a frequent visitor to my Mom whom he adopted as his 'Grandmother:. When Mom passed, he concelebrated her funeral mass and it was then that our family learned how he frequently visited Mom. She always thought he was very special. Fr. Bob was also a frequent dinner guest, and helped in the kitchen saying he wanted to learn to cook like my Mom. He was not only one of our parish priests, he was a very special friend.
May he rest in Peace.
To Fr. Bob's family: My name is Rick Rajewski and I am from Hays, KS. I was at the funeral yesterday but hope my tribute here will be more lasting for you.
I first met Fr. Bob at All Saints Parish in Wichita during his deacon year. I was a resident family physician at St. Joseph Hospital and my fiancée, Vicki, had no prior church life. He became her RCIA instructor. His ordination to the priesthood happened shortly thereafter. In the two months before he married us in February, 1977, he also baptized, confirmed, and heard her first reconciliation. We just lived a few blocks from the church so we also became good friends and he would just stop by spontaneously. We were one of his first marriages and he told me just a few months ago, he still had our picture on the wall in his bedroom.
He baptized our first son at All Saint's but we moved to start my practice in Hays in 1979. He made special trips to baptize our other two sons in Hays. We looked forward to visiting him regularly on our return trips to Wichita. While he was in Newton, he gifted a framed "Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane" to us and toys for the boys. He came to Hays to marry our first son and as a family physician I chided him being our "family" priest. He baptized both of my son's children.
In the early 2000s, Colgan played Smith Center for the state football championship here in Hays for several years. Each year, he would call the week before, secure a bed at our house and come for a visit. I would go with him to the game but had trouble cheering for Colgan as I had played against them three times in the 1960s for the state baseball championship.
His last visit here was May, 2022, for a sad celebration: Vicki's funeral. She had survived breast cancer almost 20 years but the long range effects of treatment finally overtook her. Her spiritual life had come full circle with him.
I wish to extend my condolences to all family and friends. I know his soul will rest in the Peace of Christ. Obviously, our family will never forget him.
Peace and Blessings,
Rick Rajewski
Our memory of Father Bob was a caring priest for he helped me with starting a Cancer support group meetings and anything he could help with our sympathies to his family which he adored his compassion for other will be remembered by many Shirley & George Catron
To the family of Rev. Wachter: I am so sorry for your loss. He was the rock of the family and a dedicated man of God. You are all in my prayers.
Mike Knaup
