Rev. Denis D. Dougherty, O.S.B 1929 - 2018

DOUGHERTY, CHICOINE

Posted By: Connie Swearingen -- Volunteer (email)
Date: 5/4/2018 at 21:29:32

Sioux City Journal
3 May 2018

Springfield, Mo., formerly Sioux City

Rev. Denis D. Dougherty, O.S.B., 89, of Conception Abbey, Conception, Mo., formerly of Sioux City, passed away Saturday morning, April 28, 2018, in Mercy Hospital in Springfield.

Memorial Mass will be 11 a.m. today at Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Springfield. Services will be 11:30 a.m. Monday at Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, with Abbot Benedict Neenan, O.S.B., officiating. Burial will will be in St. Columba Cemetery, Conception. Visitation will be 5:30 p.m. Sunday at Conception Abbey. Vespers of the Faithful Departed will be 7:15 p.m. at the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Conception.

He was born on Feb. 27, 1929, in Sioux City, the youngest son of Jesse J. and Helen M. (Chicoine) Dougherty. He grew up in Sioux City, graduating from Trinity High School in 1947.

After two years at Creighton University in Omaha, he discerned a call to religious life at the Benedictine Monastery of Conception Abbey. He graduated from Conception Seminary College, professed vows as a monk on Sept. 8, 1952, and was ordained to the priesthood on May 26, 1956.

He received an MA from Saint Louis University in 1959 and a PhD from the University of Missouri-Columbia in educational psychology in 1964. Father Denis served as a professor at Conception Seminary College from 1963 to 1972, and at Rockhurst University in Kansas City in 1972.

Eventually Father Denis shifted the focus of his work from education to pastoral ministry. He was pastor at Saint Columba Parish in Conception Junction, Mo., until 1986, then at Saint Gabriel Parish in Kansas City from 1986 to 1999, and finally at Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Springfield from 1999 until his death.

Throughout his 62 years as a pastor and teacher, perhaps Father Denis' most apparent trait was boundless enthusiasm, engaging his work and his charges with full attention and devotion. But his enthusiasm was always supported by a profound charity of heart and a firm conviction that the followers of Christ were bound together in love. He exercised that love in the most practical terms: pastoral ministry and counseling, but also programs of relief to the poor and neighborhood betterment.

Fr. Denis returned to his hometown every summer to visit family and his Trinity classmates, and enjoyed time with extended family at Lake Okoboji.

Father Denis is survived by his monastic community; one sister-in-law, Shiuvaun (Murphy) Dougherty; one nephew and seven nieces, Marty (Laurie) Dougherty of Sioux City, Kathleen (Shennen) Saltzman of Dakota Dunes, Mary Therese Lennon, Patsy Dougherty, Sheila (Dan) Richter, Diane (Tom) Crowley, and Molly (Greg) Eckert, all of Omaha, and Ann (Andy) Warren, of West Des Moines; and 27 grandnephews and nieces.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and his older brother, Dr. John J. Dougherty of Sioux City.