James Philip Retzner

It is with no small blend of sadness mixed with gratitude and joy that the Augustinian Province of St. Augustine in the West announces the death of our brother, Rev. James Retzner O.S.A. On September 11th of this year, he died at Mercy Hospital in San Diego after a fall on September 9th that permanently damaged his brain.

Jim was born in Wausau, Wisconsin on September 29th, 1948 to LeOrr Retzner, and Arlene Miller Retzner. He is survived by his brother Bill and his sisters Barbara Longwell and Lois Wilhelm. They were raised in Mosinee, Wisconsin, where they were regular participants at St. Paul’s Parish.

Jim graduated from Mosinee High School in 1966. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point in 1972. During much of this time, he worked at the Mosinee Paper Mill. Within a few years, Jim had moved to San Diego, where he became a member of St. Patrick’s Parish, and sang with the church music group. At St. Patrick’s, he was introduced to members of the Order of St. Augustine (the Augustinians.) He entered the Augustinian pre-novitiate in San Francisco in 1974. After a year of novitiate in St. Louis, Jim professed vows in 1976 and began theological studies at Augustinian College in Washington DC. During this time, he discerned that he was to remain an Augustinian brother, but was not yet being called to be ordained.

For the next few years, Brother Jim was assigned to be a teacher, first at St. Augustine High School in San Diego, and then at Villanova Prep School in Ojai. Shortly following these apostolates, Jim was introduced to the ministry that shaped the rest of his life --- that of hospital ministry. He began Clinical Pastoral Education courses and completed all of his training to be a hospital chaplain, while being a member of the Augustinian community at Our Mother of Good Counsel parish in Los Angeles. Fr. Jim was the superior of the local Augustinian community on several occasions. He was also the secretary of the province for eight years.

While continuing his hospital ministry, Jim’s call to the priesthood again heightened. With the permission of the Augustinian provincial and his council, Jim returned to the study of theology. He graduated from the Franciscan School of Theology in 1995 and was ordained a deacon and priest in the same year. With an emphasis on hospital ministry, over the years Jim served as a priest/chaplain at St. Thomas Aquinas in Ojai, St. Patrick’s in San Diego, and Our Mother of Good Counsel in Los Angeles. For a number of years, Jim was an accredited chaplain at Mercy Hospital in San Diego. For many years until his retirement, Fr. Jim was a full-time chaplain at Children’s Hospital in Los Angeles. He loved hospital ministry and is valued by countless people --- from patients to parents to staff. Jim retired five years ago and became a member of the St. Augustine community until his death.

Despite likely being classified as a quiet person who loved to be around extroverts who did most of the talking, Jim was a giant as an example of a person who transformed his pain and suffering to grace and resurrection. For much of his adult life, Jim was an epileptic. While he grieved no longer being able to engage in his favorite pastimes of scuba diving, biking, and hiking (to say nothing of the grief he endured by no longer being able to drive,) Jim found joy in his being able to serve and relate to those who were ill. That is why Jim was such an outstanding priest and healer to all, particularly the sick and their families.

The liturgical services for Fr. Jim Retzner will take place the morning of Saturday, September 21, 2024 at St. Augustine High School Chapel (3266 Nutmeg St., San Diego 92104). A Rosary will be recited at 10:00. The funeral mass will begin at 10:30. A luncheon will follow in Vasey patio, next to the chapel. The burial will take place at Holy Cross Cemetery following the funeral. While your prayers are the most important gift, in lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the Augustinian Guild. May Fr. Jim rest in peace, and may his memory be a blessing!