Robert Michael Montiel

Robert Michael Montiel, 74, of Birmingham, Alabama returned to his heavenly home on the afternoon of June 13th, 2025. He passed peacefully surrounded by his loving family at a local hospital.

He was born in Gadsden, Alabama on April 13, 1951. Raised in Mobile, Alabama, he graduated from University Military School (UMS) in 1969. A gifted athlete from an early age, he earned a full track and field scholarship to the Georgia Institute of Technology, where he obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Management. In 1976, he earned his Juris Doctorate from the University of Alabama and began his law career with Brown, Hudgens & Richardson. After 14 years as a civil trial lawyer, Robert answered God’s call and pursued his vocation at St. Luke Seminary, University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee. He was ordained in 1992 as an Episcopal priest.

Robert served faithfully at several parishes, including Trinity Episcopal Church and St. Ann’s Episcopal Church in Atmore, Alabama; Christ the King Episcopal Church in Bloomington, Illinois; and Grace Episcopal Church in Paris, Tennessee. He was a devoted member of the Third Order of St. Francis, an order that applies a Franciscan Rule of Life to personal life while maintaining a non-monastic vocation.

Though he retired from the priesthood in 2005, Robert continued to serve as interim rector at various churches in Birmingham, Alabama. He also served as a Trustee on the Board of Mobile Memorial Gardens.

He was preceded in death by his father, Gonzalo Fitch Montiel; his mother, Voncile Long Buffat; and his brother, Mark Gonzalo Montiel Sr. Robert is survived by his beloved wife, Antionette Maggiore Montiel; his brother, Ricardo Fitch Montiel (Mindy); his children, Ashley Jones (Pete), Tiffany Arnall (Mark), Holley Ellis (Scott), Mary-Michael Neese (John Ashley), Robert Gonzalo Montiel, and Rett Montiel (Amy), along with their mother, Gaye Steadman; and his grandchildren, Peterson Jones, Steadman Jones, August Lane Jones, Ann Archer Atkins, Will Arnall, Kathryn Arnall, Hannah Arnall, Landon Neese, Lucy Neese, Lynlee Neese, Lawson Neese, Cole Montiel, and Everly Montiel.

Though our hearts are heavy, we rejoice in knowing that he is now at peace in the presence of the Lord he loved so deeply. His legacy lives on through the lives he shaped and the faith he passed on.

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." -2 Timothy 4:7

Family and Friends are invited to St. Mark's Catholic Church on June 26th for Mass at 10:00am and Reception immediately after.

Graveside Service will be held at Mobile Memorial Gardens at 2pm Friday June 27th.

In lieu of flowers please make donations to Bob's favorite charity:                                                                                   Food for the Poor          https://foodforthepoor.org/?form=donate-now&s_subsrc=topright