Our beloved, Robert J. "Bob" Pesek, long time civic leader of Hallettsville, Texas passed away peacefully surrounded by family at the age of 94 on Tuesday, November 22, 2016. A WWII Navy veteran, graduate of The University of Texas Business School, and well known businessman in the central Texas area, Bob dedicated his life to making the world a better place. Everyone he met was soon his friend. His word was his bond and everyone knew it. A tireless volunteer, Bob left his mark on the town and the region that he loved. He will be missed.

Bob was born in Sweet Home, Texas on Oct. 14, 1922. He attended Sweet Home Rural School, Sacred Heart School, and graduated from Hallettsville High School in 1941. He enrolled in The University of Texas in the fall of 1941. His college years were interrupted by the attack on Pearl Harbor and America's entry into WWII. Bob enlisted in the U. S. Navy V-12 program. Naval training took him to Texas Christian University and to Harvard University. After training, Bob received an Ensign's commission in the Navy supply corps. He was assigned to an LST flotilla in the South Pacific in New Guinea, the Philippines, and Okinawa serving as its supply officer. When the war ended, Bob returned to his beloved University of Texas to complete his degree in 1947.

After graduating from UT, Bob joined his father in the family memorial business in Hallettsville. After his father's death, he assumed ownership of the business, renamed to R. J. Pesek Memorials. He ran the business for over 40 years before retiring in 1990 and turned the business over to his daughter and son-in-law, Joyce & Tommy Hermes. Always a leader, Bob was active in industry trade groups, even serving as president of The Monument Builders of the Southwest.

In 1950 Bob married Amelia "Molly" Strauss. They were blessed with 5 children: Thomas, Marianne, Judy, Connie, and Joyce, all of whom graduated from the University of Texas. After the death of his wife, Bob spent many years alone before finding love again with Louise Fries. They were married a couple of days before his 80th birthday and shared 14 years together.

Bob always loved sports. He taught at Hallettsville High School, serving as assistant football coach under Melvin Borchers. Later he served as assistant football coach at Sacred Heart School under Coach Bobby Quitta. He played Semi-Pro baseball and is a member of the South Central Texas Semi-Pro Baseball Hall of Fame.

Bob was an active civic leader in Hallettsville. He served as President of the Hallettsville Chamber of Commerce, President of the Lions Club, Commander of the American Legion Hudgeons Post #230, Life member of Veterans of Foreign Wars, Vice-President of the Hallettsville Fire Dept, and President of Czech Heritage Society of Lavaca County. He was honored as Man of the Year in 1969 by the Hallettsville Chamber of Commerce.

Active in local politics, Bob served as Democratic Party Chairman of Lavaca County in the 1960's. He served as co-chairman of the building committee of Lavaca Medical Center and was later appointed by Lavaca County Commissioners to its Board of Trustees, serving as its president. Bob was appointed by Governor Dolph Briscoe to the Lavaca River Flood Control Board. The board was responsible for obtaining Federal funds to dredge the Lavaca River through Hallettsville, easing flooding danger.

A strong believer in capitalism and home town banking, Bob served for many years as a Director on the Peoples State Bank Board with his longtime friend, bank president, James "Jimmy" Bozka. His efforts helped many local citizens realize their dreams by helping them obtain local loans.

An active member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Hallettsville, Bob's cakes, bread, and noodles were legendary at church picnic auctions. Additionally, he was a long time member of the Knights of Columbus serving as Grand Knight of Assembly #2433, Faithful Navigator of the 4th Degree Knights of Columbus, Yoakum Assembly, and District Deputy of the Knights of Columbus, State of Texas.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Tom & Rosie Pesek, first wife Amelia "Molly" Pesek, brothers Edwin Joseph Pesek and Albin Thomas Pesek. He is survived by his wife, Louise Fries Pesek, 5 children: Thomas Pesek, Marianne Garcia, Judy Skipper, Connie Ballou and Joyce Hermes, 6 grandchildren: Mark Garcia, John Michael Garcia, Emily Garcia, Kyle Skipper, Preston Ballou, and Noah Hermes and 1 Great Grandchild: Jackson Garcia.

One of Bob's greatest loves was dominoes. In addition to being an avid player in the Hallettsville area, he also co-founded The Texas State Championship Domino Tournament there. His passion for the game kept him working at the event until his death. He is a member of the Texas State Championship Domino Hall of Fame. One can only imagine that one of the first things on Bob's heavenly agenda will be getting a domino game together.

A 100% orange blood and Life Member of the University of Texas Texas-Exes Students Association, Bob loved his Longhorns. Football, Baseball, Basketball, Swimming, Golf, you name it, he watched it. I'm sure he is lining up a heavenly front row seat to watch his beloved Longhorns…. Hookem!

Farewell, Dad. You did well… You did real well!

Funeral Mass Service: 10 am, Monday, November 28, 2016, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Hallettsville. Visitation: 4 pm, Sunday, at Kubena Funeral Home with Rosary at 6 pm. Officiant: Msgr. John Peters. Pallbearers: Ron Skipper, Nat Ballou, Preston Ballou, Gil Garcia, John Garcia, Tommy Sitka, Rhett Trilicek, and Jeff Trilicek. Honorary Pallbearers: Bob Novak, Bill Novak, and Otto Lewandwski. Memorials (in lieu of flowers): Knights of Columbus Assembly #2433, Hallettsville, TX or Donor's Choice. Interment: Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery. Reception (after interment): at the Knights of Columbus Hall of Hallettsville.