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Fr. Robert A. Lange dies

Catholic Herald Staff Report

Fr. Robert A. Lange died May 4 at age 70.

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Father Robert A. Lange, who retired from active service in
the Arlington Diocese in 2012, died May 4 at St. Joseph’s
Home for the Elderly in Richmond after a long illness. He was
70.

“Father Lange’s love for the Lord was so evident and visible,
coupled with the desire to lead people to Jesus Christ Our
Savior,” said Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde. “We unite our
prayer, asking the Lord now give to this faith-filled priest
eternal life in His Divine Presence.”

Father Lange was born June 13, 1944, in Richmond to Joseph
and Thelma Lange.

He attended St. Paul School and graduated from Benedictine
High School, both in Richmond. After earning a bachelor’s
degree from Belmont Abbey College in Belmont, N.C., in 1967,
he spent 15 years working in the real estate business.

After discerning a priestly vocation, he attended Mount St.
Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, Md., and was ordained by
Arlington Bishop John R. Keating May 10, 1986.

Father Lange served as parochial vicar of Queen of Apostles
Church in Alexandria, 1986-90; Church of the Nativity in
Burke, 1990-91; St. William of York Church in Stafford,
1991-94; and Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Arlington,
1994-97. He was rector of St. Peter Mission in Washington,
Va, from 1997-99, and pastor of Our Lady of Angels Church in
Woodbridge from 1999-2005. Father Lange was appointed pastor
of Holy Spirit Church in Annandale in 2005 and served until
his retirement Jan. 22, 2007, at which time he relocated to
Shenandoah County. In 2011, he returned to full-time service
as parochial vicar at Our Lady of Lourdes for one year.

Following his retirement in 2012, Father Lange returned to
his residence in Shenandoah County.

In 2013, he published a book,
Windows into the Life of a Priest,
which
chronicled his journey from a troubled youth to a Catholic
priest. The book is dedicated to the Blessed Mother.

A viewing will be held at Fairfax Memorial Funeral Home, 9900
Braddock Rd., Fairfax, May 10 from 3 to 6 p.m. A funeral Mass
will be offered on Monday, May 11 at 11 a.m. at Holy Spirit
Church in Annandale with interment to follow at Fairfax
Memorial Park.

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