Episcopal Diocese of Northern Indiana ArchivesMain MenuIntroduction to the CollectionBishops of the Diocese of IndianaBishops of the Diocese of Northern IndianaParishes and MissionsConventionsOrdinations and PostulantsCamps and YouthEcumenical ServicesDiocesan Officers and GovernanceWomen's Auxiliary - Episcopal Church WomenMiscellaneousJohn David Beatty85388be94808daa88b6f1a0c89beb70cd0fac252
Very Rev. Robert Frank Royster
12020-09-15T13:36:43-07:00John David Beatty85388be94808daa88b6f1a0c89beb70cd0fac252327162plain2020-11-10T07:19:46-08:00John David Beatty85388be94808daa88b6f1a0c89beb70cd0fac252The Very Rev. Robert F. Royster was born in Lafayette, Indiana, on 23 February 1916, the son of Paul Freeman and Nina Edith (Pease) Royster. He graduated from Purdue University in 1937 and Southwestern Theological Seminary in 1952. He married Floy Lola Crepps on 12 November 1938. He had spent much of his career as an engineer before deciding later in life to enter the priesthood. He was ordained to both the diaconate and priesthood by Bishop Mallett in 1952. He served initially as rector of St. Paul's, La Porte, from 1952 to 1956 and then came to St. James, South Bend in 1956, serving first as rector and later as dean when the parish became a cathedral. Royster became a leader in the Diocese of Northern Indiana, serving on the Standing Committee. He also took on many civic roles in South Bend, including service on the board of the Urban League. He retired from the cathedral in 1969 and moved to Lakewood, Colorado, where he served as rector of St. Paul's Church from 1971 to 1981. He died in Lakewood on 25 October 2000 and his cremated remains were buried in the St. Paul's Episcopal Columbarium there.
