Dominican Father Robert Alexius Goedert, 89, died Dec. 19 in Palos Park.

Born in Oak Park, Father. Goedert attended St. Giles School and was a 1943 graduate of Fenwick High School in Oak Park.

He entered the Dominicans in 1944 and was given the religious name Alexius and professed first vows the following year at St. Thomas Aquinas Priory in River Forest.

He was ordained to the priesthood in 1951 at St. Pius V Church.

He served in New Orleans and then as an active duty chaplain for the U.S. Air Force (1960-1965). He served as a reserve chaplain until 1988. He held various provincial administrative jobs, and from 1990 until his retirement he was involved in preaching ministry across the country and abroad.

Father Goedert lived in the assisted-living community at St. Pius V Priory for many years until he needed 24-hour care. The last few months of his life he lived at the Holy Family Villa in Palos Park, where he died.

He is survived by his brothers, Bishop Raymond Goedert and William Goedert, and his sister, Caroline Doyle.