Father Bob was born on a farm near Cottonwood and baptized in Green Valley. Later, the family farmed near Marshall before buying their farm near Cottonwood. He attended St. Joseph’s Academy in Marshall for 8 years and Marshall Public High School. His formation for the priesthood continued at the minor seminary at St. John’s University in Collegeville, and he pursued philosophy and theology at St. Paul Seminary.

On Feb. 21, 1960, at Sleepy Eye, Bishop Alphonse J. Schladweiler ordained Father Bob, along with Father Eugene Brown, Father Bob Goblirsch, Monsignor Greg Schaffer, and Bishop John McRaith. His First Mass was celebrated at Holy Redeemer, Marshall.

Father Wyffels served as associate pastor at Holy Trinity in Winsted his first year and then 9 years at the Cathedral in New Ulm. He was pastor of St. Paul, Comfrey 1970-71 and St. Mary, Sleepy Eye for 12 years. He returned to Holy Trinity, Winsted for 15 years and is now pastor of St. Michael, Morgan and Sacramental Minister at St. Joseph, Clements. Father Bob taught Religion in the three Catholic High Schools of the diocese for 38 years and now visits the Elementary School classrooms. He earned his Master’s Degree in Secondary School Administration from the College of St. Thomas in 1965, and served as superintendent of the schools where he was pastor as well as serving as principal some 15 years. He was a representative of the priests’ council on the Diocesan Evangelization and Catechesist Committee for 14 years.

You are invited to join Father Bob and St. Michael parish in celebrating his 40 years of priesthood on April 9.