Smock, Robert H. 1938-2011
SMOCK, LIDDY, KADLEC, NOVOTNY, REGENNITTER, BOHR, HANSON, MALANAPHY, WELCH
Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 2/8/2013 at 15:00:59
Source: Decorah Public Opinion September 20, 2011
Robert ‘Bitsy’ Smock
Robert H. “Bitsy” Smock, 72, of McGregor, formerly of Decorah, passed away Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2011, at the Prairie du Chien Memorial Hospital after a short, courageous battle with cancer. A memorial service was Friday, Sept. 16, at 11 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in McGregor Interment of the cremated remains are at a later date in the St. Benedict’s Cemetery in Decorah. Friends called Thursday, Sept. 15, from 5-8 p.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church Courtroom in McGregor. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred. The Garrity Funeral Home of Prairie du Chien is assisting the family. www.garrityfuneralhome.com .
He was born Dec. 2, 1938, in Hawkeye, the son of Clair and Lucille (Liddy) Smock. He married the love of his life, Reva Kadlec, July 28, 1960. In union, they had three daughters: Chris, Beth and Cindy.
One of Bob’s passions was his love of sports. In grade school, he was marble champion. In junior high and high school, he was a star basketball and baseball player. After graduating from MarMac High School in 1957, he tried out for the Milwaukee Braves and to his delight was asked to play outfield. However, family necessities prevented him from pursuing that dream. In 1959, Bob graduated from barber school. He barbered for 53 years and was still cutting hair up until a few days before he passed. He owned and operated “Bob’s” Barber Shop in McGregor. Bob was also a school bus driver for South Winneshiek for 20 years. He loved and cherished the time he had with the kids. He was a member of the Elks, Jaycees, Chamber of Commerce, Knights of Columbus, Silver Crest Golf Club, Catholic Foresters, St. Benedict’s Catholic Church and St. Mary’s Catholic Church.
He loved all of his daughters, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and especially his one true beautiful friend, Reva, his wife. Bob enjoyed teaching his grandchildren to fish, playing pool and softball, relaxing, visiting with neighbors and reading a good book.
He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Reva, of McGregor; daughters, Chris (special friend Greg Mitchell), of Decorah; Beth (Jeff) Novotny of Ridgeway and Cindy (Ross) Regennitter of Cary, Ill.; grandchildren Tara Bohr, Josh Hanson, Brandi and Megan Novotny, Rebecca and Nathan Regennitter; great-grandchildren Jerome, Josie, Jackson and Landon; his sister, Jannan Malanaphy, of Decorah; along with many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, LaVae Smock; niece, Diedre Malanaphy; brother-in-law, John Malanaphy; mother- and father-in-law, DeElla (Welch) and Fred Kadlec; and brother-in-law, Roger Kadlec.
According to Bob’s wishes, his body has been donated to science, in care of the Mayo Clinic department of anatomy in Rochester, Minn.
Transcribed from a newspaper clipping submitted by Janice Sowers.
St. Benedict Cemetery
Winneshiek Obituaries maintained by Bruce Kuennen.
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