Robert J. Staab, 91, of Tulsa, Okla., passed away Saturday, Dec. 23, 2017 in Tulsa. He was born to Alexius and Celestina Staab in Catherine, Kan., Oct. 26, 1926.
Robert was a veteran and served in the Philippines and Japan during WWII. Robert met Beatrice Schenk in 1950 at Severin School, where his youngest siblings, Ruby and Dennis, attended. Robert and Bea were married June 17, 1952, at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Olmitz, Kan. Robert and Bea spent their working and married lives in Kansas, living in Plainville, Salina, Great Bend, Harper, and Wichita before moving on to Lansing, Mich., in the summer of 1974 and retiring to Naples, Fla in 1986.
After Bea’s death, Robert married Mary Frances (Komarek) Pinkenberg in 1989, at St. Mary Queen of the Universe Catholic Church in Salina, Kan. They enjoyed 14 years of marriage in Salina, where they built great memories with their granddaughters Elizabeth and Cordelia. Robert and Mary Frances enjoyed traveling to Tulsa and Chicago to spend time with their grandchildren Blaise, Zane, Alec, Colton, Matthew, and Sophia. Robert was also loved by Mary Frances’ family, including Francis and Linda Komarek, John Komarek, nephew James Komarek, and Gertrude and John Kohn.
Robert loved his retirement days in Salina, Kan. He became a lifetime member of Saint Mary’s Knights of Columbus Council 8196. Robert spent most afternoons at the Salina Senior Center, playing cards and hanging out with his friends. He loved Texas Hold ‘em, Pitch, and Pinochle, and he loved to bake birthday cakes for his fellow card players. His own birthday parties were events he looked forward to celebrating with friends and family. He marked his 90th year with a helicopter ride to celebrate both his birthday and the medical school graduation of his granddaughter, Dr. Cordelia Staab Whitlatch, with the help of his grandsons-in-law, David Van Deusen and Michael Whitlatch.
Robert moved to Oklahoma Methodist Manor in Tulsa, Oklahoma in January of 2013, just in time for the birth of his great-grandson, Samuel Robert W. Van Deusen. He enjoyed spending time with Sammy and watching him dance along to the tunes of Lawrence Welk; a smile never left his face when they were together.
Robert is survived by: children, Mike of Winnetka, Ill., Alan of Tulsa, Eric of Topeka, Kan., and Mary Ann of Keller, Texas; daughters-in-law, Jenni Holt, Sharon Voskuhl, and Rae Kary Staab; siblings, Ruby Nowak, Erlene Leiker, Dennis Staab, and Ervell Staab; eight grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
He was preceded in death by: his parents; his first wife, Beatrice (Schenk) Staab; his second wife, Mary Frances (Komarek) Pinkenberg Staab; and siblings, William Staab Sr., Louella Staab, Norman Staab, and Roger Staab.
Visitation: 4-8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 28, at Ryan Mortuary, Salina, with a vigil service at 5 p.m.
Funeral Mass: 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 29, at St. Ann’s Church, Olmitz, with internment in St. Ann’s Cemetery, Olmitz.
Memorials to: St. Catharine Catholic Church, 1681 St Joseph, Catharine, KS 67627.
To see more details of Robert’s life, please read his obituary at: ryanmortuary.com.
“O Holy Mother of God, pray for us that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.”