Basilian Father Richard John Schiefen, 71, died Nov. 14, 2003, at St.
Joseph’s Hospital in Houston, Texas.
A native of Rochester, Father Schiefen graduated from Aquinas
Institute in 1950 and entered the local Basilian Fathers’ Novitiate,
professing his vows in 1951. After attending St. Basil’s Seminary and
St. Michael’s College in Toronto, he was ordained in 1961 and taught at
Aquinas for one year before beginning theological studies. Following
graduate studies, he taught at St. Michael’s College and at the
University of St. Thomas in Houston, where he also served as dean of
the School of Theology and vice president of academic affairs.
Father Schiefen was predeceased by his parents, Joseph and Loretta
Miller Schiefen, and his brother, Joseph. He is survived by his
sister-in-law, Josephine Schiefen; his nieces, nephews, grandnieces and
grandnephews; and his confreres in the Congregation of St. Basil.
His funeral liturgy was concelebrated in St. Anne’s Church in
Houston on Nov. 18, 2003, by Bishop Joseph Fiorenza of the
Galveston-Houston Diocese; Father Kenneth Decker, superior general of
the Basilian Fathers; and Father Dennis Andrews. Burial was at the
Basilian Plot at Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery, Houston.
