Father Richard Root, 74, passed away at his home on Saturday, March 30, 2024.
The Rev. Richard Alexander Root was born in Syracuse, N.Y., on Oct. 7, 1949, to Charles M. Root and Stella H. (Dembowski) Root. He was baptized at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Syracuse on Nov. 6, 1949. He attended Sacred Heart School and Central Technical High School in Syracuse. He received an Associate of Applied Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from The State University of New York in Buffalo, N.Y. He later studied art at Syracuse University.
Father Root became a seminarian for the Diocese of Spokane in 1986. He completed minor seminary at Bishop White Seminary, Gonzaga University in Spokane, before completing major seminary at St. Paul Seminary, University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minn.
Father Root was ordained to the holy priesthood by Bishop William Skylstad at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Lourdes, Spokane, on May 23, 1990. After ordination, he was appointed parochial vicar at Holy Family, Clarkston.
He was appointed parochial vicar at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Lourdes, Spokane, in 1991 and became pastor at St. Gall, Colton and St. Boniface, Uniontown, in 1992.
Father Root’s ministry significantly impacted the future generations of priests in the diocese. He became Director of Vocations in 1992, rector of Bishop White Seminary in 1994, and Director of Deacon Formation in 1995. He retained all three roles through 1999.
In 1999, he had a short assignment at the parishes of Holy Rosary, Pomeroy; St. Joseph, Dayton; and St. Mark, Waitsburg, before taking a leave of absence in 2000 to care for his mother back home in Syracuse, N.Y.
After his mother’s passing, Father Root was welcomed back to the Diocese of Spokane in 2010. Bishop Skylstad assigned him pastor at Holy Family, Clarkston, where he remained for 10 years until his retirement in 2020. His contributions to the parish will live on, including a community center and a columbarium. He continued to be present around Holy Family during his retirement years until his passing.
Father Root was a devoted priest who thoroughly enjoyed helping the community. He was also a talented silk screener and painter who enjoyed sharing art with the children at Holy Family. As a seminarian, he traveled to Israel and always made a point to partake in family vacations. An avid reader and film enthusiast, he loved lively conversations about characters, content and meaning. He was truly a talented man of many interests.
He is survived by his sister, Catherine Root, of Hingham, Mass., brother, Michael Root (Roxanne), of Holly Springs, N.C., niece Michele Brant (Chris), grandnephew Aaron, of Apex, N.C. and many close cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his father, Charles Root and mother, Stella Root.
The funeral arrangements for Rev. Richard Root are as follows: A viewing will take place at 4 p.m. Sunday, April 7, with a rosary recited at 5 p.m. at Holy Family Catholic Church, 1109 Chestnut St., Clarkston.
The funeral Mass will be celebrated at 3 p.m. Monday, April 8, at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Lourdes, 1115 W. Riverside Ave., Spokane.
A memorial Mass with inurnment will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 10, at Holy Family Catholic Church, Clarkston.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be sent to St. Jude’s Hospital and the World Wildlife Fund.
