FR. ROBERT VIDAL, affectionately known as “Fr. Bob,” passed away on July 15 at the age of 88. A
visitation and vigil were held at St.
Anne Catholic Church in Seal Beach and his funeral Mass was celebrated at Christ Cathedral.
Fr. Bob was born in Santa Ana in 1936 and spent his formative years in the San Fernando Valley. He was ordained a priest in 1966 in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.
Fr. Bob was a priest for 58 years – and most of those years were spent in Orange County. At the time of his passing he was pastor emeritus at St. Anne Seal Beach, where he had previously served as pastor for 18 years. Fr. Bob also served at Our Lady of the Rosary in Paramount, St. Martin de Porres in Yorba Linda and St. Juliana in Fullerton.
Fr. Bob was recently featured in a special “Legacy” issue of Orange County Catholic where he talked about his years in the Diocese administering to the faithful. He was also a much-loved mentor to many of our priests over the years.
“I wouldn’t be the priest I am without him,” said Fr. Duy Le, pastor of San Francisco Solano in Rancho Santa Margarita.
Fr. Bob told the article’s author, Greg Hardesty, that his favorite story in the Bible was the walk to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35).
In the story, the risen Christ appears to two disciples and opens their eyes to his presence.
“I guess that’s maybe my journey of walking along with the Lord,” Fr. Bob had said at the time. “And recognizing Him and being aware of His presence every day of my life.”