In 1983 he became the pastor of St. Thomas More Parish in Portland, where he stayed for 14 years. From 1997 to 2001 he served as pastor for the St. Boniface Parish in Sublimity, finally retiring in 2001 to the St. John Vianney Residence in Beaverton, an apartment complex for retired priests. In 2008 he became a Monsignor, but he preferred the title of Father in his daily life. Of course, Fr. Dernbach didnt really retire, as he took on the duties of apartment complex manager dealing not only with the mundane issues of maintenance, but also assisting many of the other priests in their daily living, while continuing to occasionally fill in at parishes as needed.
In 2015 Fr. Dernbach moved from the apartments to the Maryville facility, where he continued to minister to all he encountered, whether they were staff, fellow residents, or visitors. He was known to roam the halls in his wheelchair, a friendly face to all with a smiling greeting for anyone who came into view. Fr. Dernbach was known for his intellect and amazing vocabulary, his love of chocolate, and his booming laugh. He retained that sense of humor to the very end and was well-loved by the Maryville staff and residents.
As the youngest child of a very large family he was known as Art and to his 37 nieces and nephews he was Uncle Art, who appeared frequently at family gatherings (and what gatherings they were!). Uncle Art usually arrived with new information about his latest researches into the family tree (he was the family historian) and a box of chocolates (his sisters always gave him the easy assignments). His huge laugh could always be heard over the din of a Dernbach family gathering as the siblings shared stories and teased the baby of the family.
He broke the ice with small children intimidated by his size, his voice, and his all-black attire by offering to bless a stuffed animal or favorite doll. Family, friends, and past parishioners alike will greatly miss this manthe last of the Dernbachs Greatest Generation.
Fr. Dernbach was preceded in death by his parents John L. Dernbach and Mary ODonnell, and by his 11 brothers and five sisters (oldest to youngest): Ralph, John, Benjamin, Cliff, Ray, Alfred, Florence, Bill, Marge, Irene, Leo, Bernice, Mary Jane, Bob, Mike (aka Ted), and Edward. Of the 17 children, only 15 survived to adulthood, hence the confusion about the number of children in the Dernbach family. Alfred was only a few months old when he passed away, and Edward was only eight months old.
In 1983 he became the pastor of St. Thomas More Parish in Portland, where he stayed for 14 years. From 1997 to 2001 he served as pastor for the St. Boniface Parish in Sublimity, finally retiring in 2001 to the St. John Vianney Residence in Beaverton, an apartment complex for retired priests. In 2008 he became a Monsignor, but he preferred the title of Father in his daily life. Of course, Fr. Dernbach didnt really retire, as he took on the duties of apartment complex manager dealing not only with the mundane issues of maintenance, but also assisting many of the other priests in their daily living, while continuing to occasionally fill in at parishes as needed.
In 2015 Fr. Dernbach moved from the apartments to the Maryville facility, where he continued to minister to all he encountered, whether they were staff, fellow residents, or visitors. He was known to roam the halls in his wheelchair, a friendly face to all with a smiling greeting for anyone who came into view. Fr. Dernbach was known for his intellect and amazing vocabulary, his love of chocolate, and his booming laugh. He retained that sense of humor to the very end and was well-loved by the Maryville staff and residents.
As the youngest child of a very large family he was known as Art and to his 37 nieces and nephews he was Uncle Art, who appeared frequently at family gatherings (and what gatherings they were!). Uncle Art usually arrived with new information about his latest researches into the family tree (he was the family historian) and a box of chocolates (his sisters always gave him the easy assignments). His huge laugh could always be heard over the din of a Dernbach family gathering as the siblings shared stories and teased the baby of the family.
He broke the ice with small children intimidated by his size, his voice, and his all-black attire by offering to bless a stuffed animal or favorite doll. Family, friends, and past parishioners alike will greatly miss this manthe last of the Dernbachs Greatest Generation.
Fr. Dernbach was preceded in death by his parents John L. Dernbach and Mary ODonnell, and by his 11 brothers and five sisters (oldest to youngest): Ralph, John, Benjamin, Cliff, Ray, Alfred, Florence, Bill, Marge, Irene, Leo, Bernice, Mary Jane, Bob, Mike (aka Ted), and Edward. Of the 17 children, only 15 survived to adulthood, hence the confusion about the number of children in the Dernbach family. Alfred was only a few months old when he passed away, and Edward was only eight months old.
Family Members
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John Lawrence Dernbach Jr
1907–1939
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Benjamin Franklin Dernbach
1908–1975
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Clifford James Dernbach
1909–1995
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Florence Marie Dernbach Mayer
1913–2001
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Richard Joseph Dernbach
1914–1985
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Irene Lillian Dernbach Schellhorn
1917–1977
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Bernice Beatrice Dernbach Wusz
1919–2015
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Mary Jane Dernbach Seath
1921–2016
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Robert Emmett "Bob" Dernbach
1922–2012
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Theodore Mike Dernbach
1924–2005
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