SAN DIEGO — Msgr. Roger A. Lechner, a retired priest of the Diocese of San Diego, died March 11. He was 85.
Born in Brawley, Msgr. Lechner was ordained to the priesthood on May 19, 1966.
After assignments as an associate pastor, he was named the founding pastor of St. Stephen Parish in Valley Center in 1981. Then, in 1987, he became pastor of Resurrection Parish in Escondido. He was pastor of Holy Spirit Parish, from 1992 until his retirement from active ministry in 2015.
Among his non-parish assignments, Msgr. Lechner served as secretary to Bishop Francis J. Furey and his successor, Bishop Leo T. Maher, from 1968 to 1973, and as vice chancellor from 1968 to 1976.
He was made a monsignor on Dec. 16, 1988.
The viewing will begin at 4 p.m., Monday, March 30, followed by a 6 p.m. Vigil Mass, at Holy Spirit Parish. The funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m., March 31, also at Holy Spirit Parish.
