Father Robert Shortall, a priest of the Diocese of Davenport, died March 24 in Plano, Texas. He was 72.
Born in New York City to David and Maura Shortall, he graduated from Archbishop Malloy High School in Jamaica, N.Y. He then earned a BA in sociology from St. Ambrose College in Davenport in 1966. He completed his theological studies at St. Paul Seminary in St. Paul, Minn.
On Dec. 27, 1974, he was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Gerald O’Keefe at Holy Family Church in Davenport.
He served as an associate pastor at St. Mary Parish-Fort Madison in 1975 and then at St. Patrick Parish-Ottumwa and St. Mary Parish-Eddyville from 1975-77.
After a leave of absence, he moved to Dallas, Texas, where he was granted faculties. He served as a parochial vicar at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Plano, Texas, from 1985-96. He moved back to Davenport and retired to Texas due to health reasons.
His funeral was to be held April 4 at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton.
