Robert M. (Bob) Friday, born in Crafton, PA, a Pittsburgh suburb, on September 27, 1934, died peacefully on April 18, 2026, after a brief illness. He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Gilbert and Dorothy (Kumer) Friday, and his two brothers, Dr. Gilbert A. Friday, Jr. and James E. Friday, and sister-in-law Christina.  Bob attended St. Philip School and Crafton High School where he was active in varsity sports and other activities.

In the summer following his freshman year at Duquesne University, Bob, his brother Gil, and cousin Gerry Moron, worked for Morrison Knudsen Company on the construction of the Richardson Highway in Alaska.  It was during that experience that Bob began to consider seriously a vocation to the Catholic priesthood.  Bob followed this pursuit with the Diocese of Pittsburgh, earning a degree in philosophy from St. Vincent's College in 1957 and subsequent theological degree in theology in 1961 from St. Mary's Seminary and University in Baltimore.  He was ordained in May of 1961 for ministry in the Pittsburgh diocese.

Bob's first parish assignment was to Blessed Sacrament Church, National Heights, PA.  After four years there, Bob was transferred to St. Paul's Church in Butler, PA.  It was during that assignment that then- Bishop John Wright designated Bob for graduate studies in moral theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, Italy.  Three years of study culminated in a doctoral degree and Bob's return to Pittsburgh and a one-year assignment to St. Basil's parish in Pittsburgh's Carrick district.

In 1970, Bob joined the faculty at St. Mary's Seminary and University in Baltimore, where he taught courses in moral theology.  He worked closely with the pastoral training program, especially with transitional deacons, who are young men in their final year before priestly ordination.

In 1977, Bob returned to Pittsburgh and an assignment to convert a former school for troubled young women into a retreat/conference center.  During his four years at the Gilmary Center, Bob continued to teach as a visiting professor at Duquesne University, St. Vincent Seminary, and Seton Hill College.  His courses were designed to enable students to better understand the 'what' and the 'why' of Catholic moral teaching.  His goal was less to indoctrinate and more to clarify the Church's teaching, especially relative to understanding sin, personal conscience, sexual ethics, and issues in the area of bio-medical ethics.  His contention was that a person needs to develop and form his/her conscience by understanding the Church's teaching before either accepting or rejecting the teaching.

In 1981 Bob accepted an assistant professorship at The Catholic University of America in Washington, DC where he taught courses in moral theology to graduate and undergraduate student, including bio-medical ethics in the School of Nursing.  Bob served as asst. dean in the School of Theology until accepting the office of Vice President for Student Life in 1986.

This VP position was responsible for housing and dining services, the offices of dean of students and student activities, the counseling and career services centers, health services, campus ministry, and the athletic department.  Recognizing that he had no formal training in any of these areas, Bob's approach was to work closely with those department heads that did have training and expertise, to help them better achieve their goals within the university community.  Meanwhile, Bob continued to teach.

During Bob's academic career he was a much sought after speaker at parishes and national conferences of catechetics.  At one such conference in Orange County, CA, Bob was invited to provide a "workshop" on Church moral teaching.  The "workshop" was held in a hotel ballroom with eleven hundred participants!

In 2003, he stepped back from the VP position, completed his year of teaching, then retired from the University.  Approaching his seventieth birthday, Bob retired from active ministry and his allegiance to the Diocese of Pittsburgh.  Taking up residency in Baltimore, Bob married his longtime friend, Mary Kay Olash.  Bob was a Roman Catholic priest for forty-four years.  Following a civil marriage, Bob applied for and received from the Vatican the dispensation from the clerical state, which allowed Bob and Mary Kay to be validly married in the Catholic Church.  This marriage was celebrated in November 2006 at the Catholic Community of St. Francis Xavier, Hunt Valley, MD where they continued to worship and be active in their faith.  Bob so loved the ministry, therefor volunteering as a Lector and Eucharistic Minister kept him close to his life as a Priest.

Bob is survived by his beloved wife Mary Kay (Olash), their son John Olash, his wife Madelaine (Soto), granddaughter Alexandra Olash, grandson John Paul Soto, sisters-in-law Barbara and Jane, twelve nieces and nephews, thirty-four grandnieces and numerous nieces and nephews from Mary Kay's family … all of whom lovingly called him "Gruncle" Bob!  He has also responded to Father Bob, Bob-Bob and Uncle Bob.

He cherished his time at the beaches of Stone Harbor, NJ and the Outer Banks, NC with family and friends.  Because of his Pittsburgh roots, he remained an avid Steelers fan even while living in Ravens territory.   GO STEELERS!

Friends may call at the family owned Ruck Towson Funeral Home, Inc., 1050 York Rd. (beltway exit 26), on Tuesday, April 21st, from 2 to 4 & 6 to 8 PM.  A Funeral Mass will be held at the Catholic Community of St. Francis Xavier, 13717 Cuba Rd, Hunt Valley, MD 21030, on Wednesday, April 22nd, at 10 AM.  Interment private.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his name to Catholic Relief Services at www.crs.org/ways-to-help/ways-to-give