Fr Ronald Oscar Herde

Early Life
Ron Herde was born in Peterborough, SA, the son of Freidrich Heinrich Oscar Herde and Elsie (nee) Brown of Jamestown, on October 11, 1924. Born in a mixed Lutheran and Anglican family, Ron found his way in the Anglican tradition. He recalled that by the age of 12, he told his mother that he wanted to be a priest, and he never wavered in this.

Anglican Background
After completing his secondary education at the Adelaide Technical High School, and whilst working at Richard’s Industries, young Ron approached the then Anglican Bishop of Adelaide to fulfil his dream. But the war had come, and his Bishop advised him to join the forces. Immediately after his 18th birthday, Ron joined the RAAF. He achieved the rank of Flying Officer, and at Laverton he met his wife, Alice. They married and had two daughters, Helen and Penelope.

After his discharge in 1946, Ron returned to Adelaide, and once again approached the Bishop who told him to matriculate, including study of Latin and Greek, and with no previous background Ron was able to do this and then commenced his theological studies. He graduated with his Licentiate in Theology from St Barnabas College in 1951. While reticent about his war-time career, Ron was happy to recall his training at St Barnabas, and the grounding which he received, especially in scripture and in spirituality.

Conversion and Ordination
Ron was ordained by Archbishop Robin on December 21, 1951. He then served in Anglican parishes in South Australia and western Victoria, his last parish being St Mary Magdalene’s in Adelaide. After Alice’s death in 1973, Ron entered a difficult period of searching, eventually choosing to become a Catholic. He was admitted into full communion with the Catholic Church in June 1976. Later, on the advice of Archbishop Faulkner, he refreshed his education through studies at St Francis Xavier’s Seminary. He was ordained as a Catholic priest on December 21, 1988.

Ron’s first appointment as an Anglican priest was in the parish of Glenelg. He was delighted that his first appointment as a Catholic priest was also to Glenelg. Later he was parish priest at Penola, Balaklava, and Riverton, and chaplain at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. On December 21, 1999 he retired, receiving the title of Pastor Emeritus. His sense of adventure never left him, and for four months in 2003, he served as chaplain to the Sacred Heart Sisters at an AIDS hospital and orphanage in South Africa, even though nearly 80 years of age.

For many years, Ron had endured a brain stem meningioma. In his later years this tumour gradually expanded, restricting his life and movements, but not his passion for the spiritual life and the world. Much of this time was spent in the care of the Philip Kennedy Centre at Largs Bay. He died on the April 1, 2012. His funeral was held in Our Lady of Victories Church, Glenelg, and he is buried at the North Brighton Cemetery in Somerton Park.

May he rest in peace.