Father Bernard Francis “Bernie” Tickerhoof, TOR was greeted by Sister Death on Sunday, May 10, 2026, at age 75.

As a Franciscan priest, Father Bernie thoroughly enjoyed retreat ministry serving at various retreat centers for over 30 years. They included the Franciscan Renewal Center in Winchester, VA (1981 – 1990); the Burning Bush House of Prayer in Pittsburgh, PA (1990 – 1992); and the Franciscan Spirit & Life Center in Whitehall, PA (1996 – 2004). The last fourteen years of his life, he continued to provide spiritual direction and travel to give retreats across the U.S. through the Province’s Franciscan Pathways program.

Fr. Bernie’s life reflected a deep faith, demonstrated through his passion for writing and his tailored holistic spirituality, faith and biblical conversions as well as leadership development. He will be remembered fondly not only for his professional achievements but especially for his deep love for continued learning, which he shared through not only his ministry but storytelling, social justice, ecumenism and interfaith, holistic spirituality and ecological concerns. He authored several books and articles on a variety of topics in spiritual life. His most recent book titled The One Body of Christ in a Quantum Age, published by Orvis Books in 2024, explores the relationship between Christian spirituality, theology and quantum theory.