Donor Spotlight: Bob Kusenberger

For decades, a plaque hung in Bob Kusenberger’s home bearing the words: “As for me and my house, we shall serve the Lord.” It was more than a motto. It was a mission.

Bob Kusenberger lived that mission for 82 years, until his passing on March 29, 2023. Throughout his life, the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate were among the most cherished recipients of his service, friendship, and generosity.

A Lifelong Bond with the Oblates

Born and raised in Del Rio, Texas, Bob’s spiritual journey began in an Oblate parish and deepened when he entered the Oblate minor seminary at age 15. Although he discerned that religious life was not his path, his connection to the Oblates never wavered. He and his wife Ruth, married in 1966, were named Honorary Oblates in 2011—a testament to their enduring partnership with the congregation.

“We have been part of the Oblate family for many years,” Ruth shared. “We always had Oblates in our home to visit, to eat, and to have many fruitful discussions.”

A Heart for Zambia

Among the many ministries Bob supported, the Oblate mission in Zambia held a special place in his heart. His friendship with Father Paul Duffy, OMI—one of the first Oblates to serve in Zambia and later Bishop of Mongu—sparked a deep interest in the region’s needs and potential.

In 2018, Bob traveled to South Africa for the Kusenberger Lecture at the Oblate scholasticate in Cedara, a program sponsored by the Kusenberger Chair of Oblate Studies, which he and his family had established at Oblate School of Theology in San Antonio. But Bob had one condition for attending: he wanted to visit the Zambian missions.

What he witnessed there moved him profoundly. When St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Livingstone, Zambia began building their initial church building, he met Father Barnabas Simatende, OMI and parishioners struggling to build a cinderblock church. The project had stalled for years due to lack of funds. When Bob asked how long it might take to finish, the priest estimated six more years.

Bob did not accept that timeline. He made a donation on the spot to complete the church, and the building was finished shortly thereafter. Amongst Oblates, it is widely known as the Kusenburger Basilica.

Bob passed away on March 29, 2023 in San Antonio, TX. The Missionary Oblates are eternally grateful to Bob —for his faith, his friendship, and his unwavering commitment to the poor and the missions in Zambia. His legacy continues to build churches, strengthen communities, and inspire hearts across continents.

Those who follow in Bob’s footsteps help ensure that the spirit of service lives on. His story reminds us that one person’s generosity can transform lives and bring hope where it is needed most.