Robert Halvachs

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Robert E. Halvachs, 69, of Belleville, IL, born January 27, 1948, in East St. Louis, IL, died Friday, August 18, 2017, surrounded by his loving family at Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, MO.

Bob grew up in East St. Louis and attended St. Elizabeth’s Grade School and Assumption High School.  His family moved to Belleville where he graduated from Althoff Catholic High School.

Bob went on to marry the love of his life Martha and raise a family, while working full time and going to school at night.  He graduated from the University of Missouri, St. Louis with a B.S. degree in Organic Chemistry.  He worked for 40 years as a process chemist at Mallinckrodt in St. Louis.  He held 26 organic chemistry patents for Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals.

After retiring in 2009, Bob never slowed down.  He continued to be active playing golf, working out at the YMCA, and dancing with Martha.  He loved the outdoors, especially hiking with Martha in National parks.  He even chopped his own wood for his wood burning fireplace.  His talent for chemistry extended into the kitchen.  He was an excellent cook and his family referred to him as the Grill Master.

He loved God and lived his life that way.  He gave of his time and talents to his community.  He was an active member of Our Lady Queen of Peace Church in Belleville where he sang in the choir for 35 years.  He volunteered at the Inner Faith Food Pantry in Belleville and made chili and soup for the poor.  He donated blood to the Red Cross on a regular basis.

Most of all, Bob loved spending time with his family and grandchildren.  He was the rock of our lives, always strong and level headed.  We knew we could count on him for anything. There wasn’t anything he couldn’t fix or a problem he couldn’t solve. He took care of all of us.  Bob loved his family and most of all he loved Martha.

Bob was preceded in death by his sister Carol Marie Halvachs; his father, Robert Elmer Halvachs; and a step-father Frank Keeser.

Surviving are his wife Martha, nee Glauber, whom he married on February 4, 1967;
his mother Mary Jo Halvachs-Keeser;
a son Robert E. Halvachs, Jr.;
daughters, Lisa (Chris) Wade and Rebecca (Robert) Riepshoff;
seven grandchildren, Tiffani Halvachs, Jennifer (Lucas) Schultze, Amber Swogger (fiancé Austin Lawrence), Justin Swogger, Brandon Wade, and Jake and Joseph Riepshoff;
one great-grandson, Bowen Schultze;
three brothers, Fred (Yvonne) Halvachs of Swansea, Il, Paul (Melanie) Halvachs of Holden, ME, and Thomas (Valerie) Halvachs of Clarence, NY;
and many nieces and nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.

The Halvachs family would like to thank the physicians and staff of Memorial Hospital in Belleville, IL, and Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, MO, for their excellent and compassionate care.

Memorials may be made to Our Lady Queen of Peace Church or to the Community Inner Faith Food Pantry. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com.

Visitation:  Friends may visit with the family from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, August 22, 2017, at George Renner & Sons Funeral Home, Belleville, IL, and from 10 to 11 a.m. Wednesday, August 23, 2017, at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church, Belleville, IL.

Funeral:  A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, August 23, 2017, at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church, Belleville, IL, with Father Matthew Elie officiating.

Burial will be at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery, Fairview Heights, IL.

Arrangements by George Renner & Sons Funeral Home, Belleville, IL

Condolences:

12 Comments on Robert Halvachs

RICHARD 'rich' ROTH said : Guest Report Sep 12, 2017 at 11:40 PM

Martha & Family, Please excuse my slow response to Bob leaving his bod too soon. Allow me to express my deep sympathy & compassion to all of you during this time of sorrow & sadness. Living far away in southern Arizona did not allow my attend to show my respect. Level headed & logical and always enjoyed conversing with Bob at our family reunions. Was quite impressed with the auto restoration he completed. All the good Bob did lives on in your daily lives. Peace & all good things to your entire family.

  • Tubac
  • AZ
Larry Roth said : Guest Report Aug 25, 2017 at 12:19 AM

Martha,Lisa,Bob,Rebecca and family. Bren and I send you our sympathy, love and prayers. I know it is a difficult time, embrace each other and lean on God. May He be with you.

  • Iuka
  • MS
Larry Roth said : Guest Report Aug 25, 2017 at 12:06 AM

Martha, Lisa,Bob,Rebecca and family. Bren and I send our love, support and most importantly our prayers. My sympathy goes out to you and family. May God bless,embrace and provide the strength needed to your family to move forward.

  • Iuka
  • MS
Kim and Tony said : Guest Report Aug 22, 2017 at 10:36 PM

May his soul rest in peace. May the love you all have for each other help you. We remember the friendship and sharing an will miss Bob dearly.

  • Troy
  • IL
Orville and Lois Riepshoff said : Guest Report Aug 22, 2017 at 3:29 PM

We are so very sorry for your loss. It is hard to give them up. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

  • Highland
  • Illinois.
Carl White said : Guest Report Aug 21, 2017 at 2:29 PM

Words do not express how deeply saddened I am. Bob is one of the few people that I call a true friend. Martha and family, please reach out to me should there be any help I can provide.

  • St Louis
  • MO
Brian and Cheri Campbell said : Guest Report Aug 20, 2017 at 6:15 PM

We are so sorry for your loss. We know how close your family is and what a rock he was to you all. We are here if you need anything Love to you all, we will keep you all in our prayers.

  • Fairview Hgts
  • Illinois
Steve & Karen Mackey said : Guest Report Aug 20, 2017 at 5:56 PM

We will always remember Bob as Family Man first and foremost. We have many great memories of family gatherings always attended by Bob. Many jokes and stories were told around his grill. You are irreplaceable and will be sorely missed.

  • Carthage
  • Indiana
Mary Wright said : Guest Report Aug 20, 2017 at 5:12 PM

May God bless and support you, Martha, Lisa, Bob and Rebecca & family in this difficult time. You have all my sympathy in your loss of a wonderful husband, father and grandfather. Love from Mary Wright and Crystal Lucas !

  • Maryland Heights
  • Missouri
Stephanie Stenger Callan said : Guest Report Aug 20, 2017 at 1:31 PM

Bob, my heart is with you in mourning the loss of your father. Stephanie PS That's my school email, for some reason it wouldn't take my two personal accounts.

  • Riverside
  • IA
Paul & Cathy Adrien said : Guest Report Aug 20, 2017 at 2:24 AM

Our hearts go out to you on the loss of your dear husband, father son, grandfather. He was all that plus a great member of his community. Heaven will surely be a better place now. May you all find peace in our Lord and in your memories.

  • Dawson
  • Illinois
Don and Freddie Riepshoff said : Guest Report Aug 20, 2017 at 12:42 AM

Martha, Jo and family, Many prayers were said and tears shed, but we look to the Lord for answers. He will be missed by all who knew him. Our prayer for you is that your happiest memories of those twinkling blue eyes and happy smile shall heal the pain of loss. Love to all, Don and Freddie

  • Alhambra
  • Illinois

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