Father Graff was assigned as pastor in 1965. He continued the implementation of Vatican II changes, including commissioning the first extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion and setting up the first parish council. It was also during his pastorate that the parish center was built, in 1968.
Robert Graff was born in June, 1926, in Williamsport, PA to Raymond and Elizabeth Mitsdorfer Graff. He studied for the priesthood at Pontifical College Josephinum, in Columbus, OH. He was ordained for the Diocese of Tucson on June 7, 1952 by Apostolic Delegate Amleto Cicognani. Assignments before St. Andrews were at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Tempe, Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish in Mesa, St. Agnes Parish in Phoenix, Sts. Peter and Paul Parish in Tucson, and Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in Glendale. He also served as chaplain at the University of Arizona Newman Center. Fr. Graff served as pastor at St. Andrew’s for 5 years. After 1970, he served as pastor at St. Cyril of Alexandria Parish in Tucson, St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Casa Grande, and St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Superior and retired in 1996. Fr. Graff passed away on January 26, 2008.