The Rev. Richard Peter Kirchen, priest of the Diocese of Milwaukee, died of cancer July 9 at St. John's Tower, Milwaukee, WI. He was 70.

Fr. Kirchen was a native of Milwaukee, and a graduate of Ripon College and Nashotah House. He was ordained deacon in 1958 and priest in 1959. He served as assistant at St. James', Milwaukee, 1958-59 and 1967-69; rector of St. John Chrysostom, Delafield, and vicar of St. Mary's, Dousman, WI, 1959-63; curate of St. Paul's, Fairfield, CT, 1963-64; rector of St. Mark's, South Milwaukee, WI, 1969-75; interim of St. Paul's Cathedral, Peoria, IL, 1976; pastoral assistant at St. Andrew's, Milwaukee, 1993-94; before becoming rector of St. John's and Misión San Juan, Milwaukee, in 1994. Fr. Kirchen was active in alcoholism recovery ministries, the diocesan Cursillo movement, the Gathering (an interfaith meal program), and after school study programs for children in parish neighborhoods. He is survived by two brothers.