Reverend Monsignor Robert M. Forst died in Holy Family Villa, Bethlehem, on Wednesday, May 19, 2021. He was 95 years of age.

Born in Newark, New Jersey, Monsignor Forst is the son of the late Harry and Julia (Maleskie) Forst. He is survived by many nieces and nephews.

Monsignor Forst attended Saint May Elementary School in Saint Clair, Pennsylvania. He attended Pottsville Catholic High School, Pottsville. He studied for the Priesthood at Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary, Overbrook, where he earned a Master of Divinity Degree in Theology.

He was ordained to the Priesthood on May 19, 1951 by the Most Reverend Hugh L. Lamb, Auxiliary Bishop, Archdiocese of Philadelphia, at the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul, Philadelphia.

Prior to the establishment of the Diocese of Allentown, Monsignor Forst served as a Parochial Vicar and High School Professor in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. At the time of Pope Saint John XXIII's creation of the Diocese of Allentown, Monsignor Forst was serving as Professor, Reading Central Catholic High School, Reading. He also served as Vice-Principal, Holy Name High School, Reading; Principal, Allentown Central Catholic High School, Allentown; and Associate Professor, Pius X High School, Roseto.

Monsignor Forst's first priestly assignment was Pastor, Saint Roch Parish, West Bangor; followed by Pastor, Saint Anthony of Padua, Easton; and Pastor, Saint Paul Parish, Allentown.

During the course of his priestly ministry, Monsignor Forst served as Regional Director, Council of Catholic Nurses, Berks County; Member, Diocesan Commission on Ecumenism; Dean, Northampton County; Member, Board of Education; Member, Council of Priests; Member, Diocesan Development and Endowment Committee; Member and President, Notre Dame High School Advisory Board; Member, Allentown Central Catholic High School Advisory Board; Member, Board of Directors, Holy Family Villa; and Member, Priests' Compensation and Benefits Committee.

Monsignor Forst retired in June of 2002 and was granted the honorary title of Pastor Emeritus , Saint Paul Parish, Allentown, with residence at Holy Family Villa, Bethlehem. Prior to his passing, Monsignor Forst was the oldest living priest in the Diocese of Allentown, and the longest-ordained priest. He notably passed away on his 70 ^th Anniversary of Ordination.

Monsignor Forst is survived by his nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by a sister Beatrice Sullivan; brothers Edward "Nick" S. Forst, Francis Forst, and Stanley Forst.

Calling hours will be held on Sunday, May 23, 2021 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm, with an additional calling hour on Monday, May 24, 2021 from 9:45 am to 10:45 am in St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, 9 ^th & Lehigh Streets, Easton, PA. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in the church on Monday at 11:00 am by His Excellency, The Most Reverend Alfred A. Schlert, D.D., J.C.L., Bishop of Allentown. The Homilist will be Reverend Monsignor Edward R. Sacks, Pastor, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, Bethlehem.

Main Concelebrants will be Reverend Monsignor David L. James, Vicar General; Very Reverend Adam C. Sedar, Vicar for Clergy and Pastor, Saint Nicholas Parish, Walnutport; Reverend Monsignor Victor F. Finelli, Judicial Vicar and Pastor, Saint Frances of Assisi Parish, Allentown; Reverend Stanley M. Moczydlowski, Pastor, Saint Anthony of Padua Parish, Easton; Reverend John S. Pendzick, Pastor, Saint Elizabeth of Hungary Parish, Whitehall; Reverend Monsignor Robert J. Biszek, Pastor Emeritus , Holy Infancy Parish, Bethlehem and Retired Priest, Saint Paul Parish, Allentown; Reverend E. Michael Camilli, M.S.C., Senior Priest, Holy Guardian Angels Parish, Reading; Reverend Harold F. Dagle, Pastor Emeritus , Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish, Allentown and Retired Priest, Immaculate Conception Parish, Douglassville; Reverend Luigi Palmieri, Retired  Priest, Holy Family Villa; and Reverend Monsignor Edward R. Sacks.

A Vigil Service will be held at the Church on Sunday, May 23, 2021 at 7:00 pm. Reverend Monsignor Stephen J. Radocha, V.F.., Dean of Northampton County, will preside. Reverend E. Michael Camilli, M.S.C., will be the homilist.

Entombment will be in St. Anthony's Mausoleum, Williams Twp. Funeral Arrangements are under the direction of Morello Funeral Home, Inc., 3720 Nicholas Street, Easton, PA (Palmer Twp).

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Monsignor Forst's memory may be made to The Endowment for the Care of Retired Priests, and mailed to Diocese of Allentown, The Endowment for the Care of Retired Priests, PO Box F, Allentown, PA 18105-1538; or to ProJeCt of Easton, 320 Ferry Street, Easton, PA 18042. Online condolences may be offered at www.morellofuneralhome.com.