The Rev. Monsignor Bernard J. Eikmeier, who served at various Roman Catholic parishes in Hawaii, died July 9 at Castle Medical Center.

“;He was a wonderful priest. Our community is mostly Oriental, but he related well with us. He was very compassionate, very humble,”; said Leti Quintal, a morning secretary at the Immaculate Conception Church in Ewa.

The 83-year-old priest served at three Sacred Heart Catholic Churches—in Naalehu, Honolulu and Waianae—as well as St. Benedict, St. Theresa, Immaculate Conception, Our Lady of Good Counsel and St. Anthony churches.

Eikmeier also served on the Priest Retirement Board, Priests' Senate, Windward Vicariate, the Holy Name Society and in other religious groups, and as diocesan spiritual director.

He retired from Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in 1996.

Ralph Ahles, Elkmeier's only relative on the island, described Elkmeier as a “;big guy with a booming voice”; who enjoyed singing Hawaiian songs.

Eikmeier was born in Luxemburg, Minn., and ordained in Worthington, Ohio, in 1951.

He is survived by his sister, Anna Eisenreich; brother Joseph Eikmeier; and nieces and nephews.

Family and friends may attend a Mass of Christian Burial at Our Lady of Peace Cathedral at 10:30 a.m. tomorrow.

Committal services will be at Hawaiian Memorial Park at 10 a.m. Saturday.

In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to the Damien Canonization Fund.