Deacon Robert Steven Penberthy

FENTON - Deacon Penberthy peacefully passed away on March 2, 2025, at Cedarhurst Care Center in Farmington at the age of 81. Robert was born in St. Louis, MO and worked at several dental labs for 25 years. He, then, retrained at Vatterott College as an engineer and worked at the Marrott Pavillion Hotel as an engineer in charge of telephones and electronics.

He was ordained to the Permanent Diaconate on June 12, 1993, at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis by Bishop Edward O’Donnell. Deacon Penberthy was first assigned to Most Precious Blood in Mehlville, then assigned to St. George Parish in Affton, MO, where he served until retirement in 2005. After he and his wife moved to Fenton, they first attended Sacred Heart Parish in Valley Park, then relocated to St. Paul Parish in Fenton. He served his parishes by presiding at communion services, baptisms, funeral services, weddings and committal ceremonies. He taught RCIA, led marriage and baptism preparations, assisted with annulments and validation of marriages, provided Eucharistic/Chaplain services to many hospitals and nursing homes, and was a Marriage Tribunal Advocate. Deacon Penberthy was also a Fourth Degree Knight of Columbus.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Linda (Kuenzel), daughter, Amy (Stephen) Williams, granddaughters, Madelyn, Meredith and Emily, and niece, Carol Stubblefield.

A funeral mass for Deacon Penberthy will be celebrated on March 14, 2025, with visitation from 9 – 11am at St. Paul Catholic Church, 15 Forest Knoll, Fenton, MO 63026. Funeral Mass will follow at 11am. Interment will be on Saturday, March 15, 2025, at St. Francis Borgia Cemetery, 1481 Marbach Dr., Washington, MO 63090. Luncheons will be provided following both ceremonies.In lieu of flowers, Masses are preferred, or donations can be made to the Archdiocese of St. Louis, marked for the McNichols Fund, for deacons.