Rev. Richard D. Osterman, 85, died September 25, 2021, in Billings, MT, at St. John’s Nursing Home after a long illness. He served as a Catholic Priest of the Diocese of Great Falls-Billings for 52 years. Father Osterman was born on September 3, 1936, in Great Falls and was raised in Black Eagle. His parents were George Herman Osterman and Mary Helen (Simac) Osterman. He graduated from Great Falls Central Catholic High School and then attended the College of Great Falls. He was ordained at St. Ann Cathedral in Great Falls on April 12, 1969.
Father Osterman’s first brief assignment was at St. Luke’s Church in Great Falls, and then he was transferred to Sacred Heart Church in Glendive, where he served as associate priest. In 1970, he returned to Great Falls where he was in residence at St. Ann Cathedral Parish and was appointed to the Office of Religious Education of the Diocese as Co-Director.
In August 1973, he was assigned to serve as Co-Pastor of St. Francis Xavier Church in Circle. In 1978, he became Co-Pastor of St. Leo’s Church in Lewistown and served there until 1984, at which time he entered an educational sabbatical in Rome, Italy. He returned to Great Falls in July of 1985 and served as Pastor of St. Luke’s Parish. In 1991 he moved to Red Lodge where he served as pastor until he was granted retirement from active ministry in 2001.
His training as an engineer was useful in terms of the practical side of parish operations. He was instrumental in the design and construction of St. Agnes Church in Red Lodge in 1998. He was especially proud of his Croatian heritage and was always ready with a story of fun and adventure. He was known for his exuberant spirit, and his pastoral kindness especially to those in situations of pain or loss. He loved life and serving as a pastor; his infectious smile and lively blue eyes will be missed.
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