Robert William Diegelman

Reverend Robert William Diegelman, 80 years old, died on Tuesday, August 3, 2021 at the Brookshire Assisted Living in Hillsborough, North Carolina. He was born in Buffalo, New York on December 17, 1940 to the late Mr. and Mrs. Robert A. Diegelman (Mary A. Latchford). He is survived by his sister, Mrs. Sharon Behun, his brother, Richard Diegelman, as well as other extended family members and friends.

Father Diegelman did his collegiate studies at Holy Apostles College and Seminary in Cromwell, Connecticut beginning in 1979. After discerning a vocation to the Priesthood, Father Diegelman returned to formation and studies for the Priesthood in 1991 at Saint Mary’s Seminary and University in Baltimore, MD, completing his degree work in 1992. Father Diegelman was then ordained to the Priesthood on May 29, 1993 at Saint Raphael the Archangel Church in Raleigh, North Carolina by the Most Reverend F. Joseph Gossman, Bishop of Raleigh.

In the Diocese of Raleigh, Father Diegelman served prior to his ordination to the Priesthood as a Deacon at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Rocky Mount; as Parochial Vicar at Saint Paul Parish in New Bern; as Pastor of Saint Eugene in Wendell; as a faculty member at Cardinal Gibbons High School in Raleigh, with assistance also in priestly ministry at Saint Bernadette Parish in Fuquay-Varina; as Parochial Vicar at Saint Anthony Parish in Southern Pines and Blessed Juan Diego Mission in Robbins; as Pastor of Saint Mary Parish in Laurinburg; and as Pastor of Saint Matthew Parish in Durham. Father Diegelman retired from active priestly ministry on June 30, 2011 and continued to serve as Pastor Emeritus of Saint Matthew Parish in Durham.

The funeral arrangements for Father Diegelman are as follows. The Reception of the Body and Vigil for the Deceased will be on Wednesday, August 11, 2021 at 6:30 pm at Saint Matthew Catholic Church in Durham with Very Rev. Scott E. McCue, V.F., Presiding. The Visitation will then follow at the church until 8:00 pm. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, August 12, 2021 at 11:00 am at Saint Matthew Catholic Church in Durham, with the Most Rev. Luis Rafael Zarama, Bishop of Raleigh, Principal Celebrant and Rev. Robert P. Staley, Homilist. Internment will take place directly after the Funeral Mass and in the Saint Matthew Catholic Church parish cemetery.

Mass Cards and condolences may be sent to the Family of Father Diegelman, care of Saint Matthew Catholic Church, 1001 Mason Road, Durham, NC 27712.