Remembering Fr. Bob Puhlman (1949-2024)

Our Founding Pastor, Fr. Bob Puhlman, passed away on Friday, October 18, 2024. He will always be remembered.

Funeral Vigil for the Deceased with Reception at the Church

  • Tuesday, October 29, 2024 (Please click here to download the Worship Aid for the Vigil)
  • 6:30 PM Rosary
  • 7:00 PM Liturgy of the Word Service
  • Reception sponsored by the Shepherd’s Council, Parish Ministries, and our Confirmation Students to follow in the Banquet Room and Eastern Terrace
  • *Please note that the regular 6 PM evening Mass will be moved forward thirty minutes to 5:30 PM*

Mass of Christian Burial

Rite of Committal

  • Wednesday, October 30, 2024
  • 1:00 PM at Palm Northwest (6701 N Jones Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89131)
  • The Rite of Committal at Palm Northwest will not be livestreamed

Obituary

Rev. Robert W. Puhlman, 75, of Las Vegas, passed away on Friday, October 18, 2024. He was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on July 18, 1949, to Margaret and Albert Puhlman. He was one of four siblings: Peggy, Martha, and Albert Jr. At the age of nine, his family moved to California, where he completed school and college. After graduating, he entered the Salesians of Don Bosco and became a religious brother. Fr. Bob eventually left the Salesians to study for the Diocese of Orange. He was ordained a Roman Catholic Priest on June 9, 1984, by Most Rev. William Johnson at Holy Family Cathedral in Orange, California.

Fr. Puhlman’s life was marked by his unwavering commitment to the Lord’s work. His assignments took him to various communities, including St. Irenaeus, Cypress, CA; Our Lady of Fatima, San Clemente, CA; St. Kilian, Mission Viejo, CA; Holy Spirit, Fountain Valley, CA; St. Cecilia, Tustin, CA; Our Lady of Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV; St. James the Apostle, Las Vegas, NV; La Virgen de Guadalupe, Mesquite, NV; and St. Anthony of Padua, Las Vegas, NV. His presence and dedication left a lasting impact on each of these parishes.

Fr. Bob’s legacy is one of service and dedication. His efforts were instrumental in the successful capital campaigns that culminated in the construction of two churches in the rapidly growing Archdiocese of Las Vegas. Fr. Bob constructed La Virgen de Guadalupe and St. Anthony of Padua. For his efforts, Fr. Bob earned the nickname “Bob the Builder” at a time when that children’s show was popular. His most recent appointment was as the Founding Pastor of St. Anthony of Padua in Centennial Hills on July 1, 2012. He held a deep love for God and His people. His magnetic personality and reputation as a practical joker not only led to deep belly laughs, but filled the hearts of many.

During the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, Fr. Bob quickly assembled an online Catholic evangelization ministry at St. Anthony of Padua, culminating in many people returning to the Catholic faith and several men discerning the priestly vocation. This legacy continues today as the only live-streamed evening Mass, with music, on the West Coast. He retired from active ministry on January 31, 2023, leaving behind a legacy of faithful service that will inspire generations to come.

Father Bob is survived by sister-in-law, Carole, and brother-in-law, Don, as well as his nieces and nephews, Ken, Merilee, Tina, Chip, and Scott.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, October 30, 2024, at St. Anthony of Padua Roman Catholic Church with Most Rev. Gregory W. Gordon, STL, celebrating. The Rite of Committal (Internment) will be at 1:00 PM at Palm Mortuary Northwest.

In lieu of flowers, donations in the Memory of Fr. Bob Puhlman can be made to the Building Fund of St. Anthony Roman Catholic Church, Las Vegas, NV. Online donations can be made at www.SAPLV.com.

Memorial Contributions

In lieu of flowers, donations in Memory of Fr. Bob Puhlman can be made to the Building Fund of St. Anthony Roman Catholic Church, Las Vegas, NV. Please click here.