Print Issue: October 31, 2002

Savannah Priest Father Weltzer Dies

SAVANNAH - Father Arthur A. Weltzer, retired priest of the Savnnah Diocese and former pastor of the Church of the Holy Family, died Oct. 27 at St. Francis Hospital in Columbus. He was 94.

Father Weltzer, the son of Anthony and Katherina Zweisig Weltzer, was born in Rochester, N.Y., Feb. 2, 1908. He was ordained to the priesthood in Rochester in 1932. He graduated from Niagara (N.Y.) University with a bachelor of arts degree in 1934, a master of arts in 1936, a bachelor of science in natural sciences in 1938 and a master of science in biochemistry in 1939.

Prior to joining the Savannah Diocese, Father Weltzer was on the faculties of Aquinas High School and St. Andrew Diocesan Seminary, both in Rochester. In 1947 he was appointed assistant pastor at St. Mary on the Hill Parish in Augusta, and in 1952 was named pastor of St. Patrick (Holy Trinity) Parish until 1961. He served as pastor of Holy Family Parish until his retirement in 1973.

Father Weltzer was a theologian, a scientist, an artist, a linguist, a lover of souls, truly a renaissance man. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus.

Father Weltzer is survived by one niece, Susan Miller of St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands; and six nephews, Father Peter Deckman, Arthur Deckman, Bernard Deckman and William Bishop, all of Rochester, N.Y.; Charles Bishop of Melbourne, Fla.; and Robert Bishop of Mt. Morris, N.Y.

Bishop J. Kevin Boland of Savannah presided at a funeral Mass Oct. 30 at the Church of the Holy Family in Columbus following a vigil service and also at graveside services and interment at the Catholic Cemetery in Savannah Oct. 31.