Father Roy E. Dentinger, a pastor, teacher and chaplain, died June 23 at Nazareth Home. He was 89 and had been a priest of the Archdiocese of Louisville for 65 years.
Father Dentinger, who attended St. Meinrad Seminary, was ordained by Archbishop John A. Floersch on June 3, 1950.
He served as pastor of three parishes: St. Bernard Church from 1966 to 1976; St. Brigid Church in Vine Grove, Ky., from 1976 to 1986; and St. Jerome Church in Fairdale, Ky., from 1991 to 1995, when he retired.
He also served as an associate pastor of Christ the King Church, St. James Church and St. Christopher Church in Radcliff, Ky. In retirement, he was a senior assistant at St. Brigid Church in Vine Grove.
Father Dentinger served as a chaplain throughout his ordained life, most notably for the military at Fort Knox and the Knights of Columbus, who honored Father Dentinger last year.
At Fort Knox, Father Dentinger served as a chaplain off and on from 1952 through 2008, including full-time service as chaplain from 1986 to 1991.
He served as chaplain of the Vine Grove Knights of Columbus Council and Assembly from 1976 to 1986 and again from 2000 to 2006. He served as the state chaplain of Knights of Columbus from 1998 to 2002 and from 2006 to 2013. The state council created the Dentinger Lifetime Achievement Award in his honor in 2014 and he was the first recipient. At the time it was presented, state deputy Bill Schmidt said, “His wisdom and understanding have never steered the Kentucky State Council in the wrong direction.”
Father Dentinger also served as chaplain of Loretto High School, Mercy Academy and Presentation Academy. He taught at Flaget High School, Mercy and Presentation.
In addition, Father Dentinger served the archdiocese as chancellor from 1963 to 1966, as director of continuing education for clergy from 1983 to 1988, on the marriage tribunal for 14 years and helped with the Archdiocese of Louisville’s funding campaigns, including the WHAS Crusade for Children.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on June 29 at St. Brigid Church in Louisville, 1520 Hepburn Avenue. Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz will preside. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery.
Visitation will precede the Mass June 29 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at St. Brigid and will be at Ratterman’s Funeral Home, 3800 Bardstown Road, on June 28 from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.
“Father D”– as he was known locally — was certainly a well-loved personage in the Hardin County area. Having attended St. Brigid in Vine Grove for eight yesrs of school, I was often at funerals, weddings, and baptisms there when he was pastor. He will be sorely missed and lovingly remembered by all those whose lives were touched by his kindness, wisdom, and humility. May he rest in the peace of Jesus.