Robert Herold Brockhaus Sr., age 84, born April 18, 1940, of St. Louis, Missouri, passed away peacefully on September 20, 2024, after a brief illness.
SERVICES: A visitation will be held on Friday, October 11th, 2024, from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Kutis Funeral Home at 10151 Gravois Road. A memorial service will occur at St. Lucas United Church of Christ at 11735 Denny Road in St. Louis on Saturday, October 12, 2024, at 10:00 am. The family requests preferred donations be made in Bob’s name to the Greater St. Louis Boy Scout Trust Fund https://stlbsa.org/give-now/memorial-gifts/ or the Friendship Village Sunset Hills Employee Christmas Fund, 12563 Village Circle Drive, Sunset Hills, MO, 63127.
Bob is survived by his devoted wife of 54 years, Joyce (Dees) Brockhaus; his children, Robert Herold Brockhaus, Jr. and Lynn (Brockhaus) Vartanian; and his cherished grandchildren, Michael Vartanian, Benjamin, Renee, and Alexander Brockhaus. Bob is also lovingly remembered by his brother, William Brockhaus, sister-in-law Carolyn (Abel) Brockhaus, daughter-in-law Susan (Begany) Brockhaus, and son-in-law Dave Vartanian. His legacy of love and community service will be deeply missed by his family, friends, neighbors, and colleagues.
Bob graduated from Lindbergh High School in 1958. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Missouri University of Science and Technology in Rolla in 1962, a Master of Science in Industrial Administration from Purdue University in 1966, and a Ph.D. in Business Administration from Washington University in St. Louis in 1976.
Dr. Bob Brockhaus was a trailblazer in the academic field of business entrepreneurship. He served as Professor and founding Director of the Jefferson Smurfit Center for Entrepreneurial Studies at Saint Louis University, where he inspired generations of students during his tenure from 1973 to 2004. In recognition of his contributions, Saint Louis University established the Robert H. Brockhaus Chair in Entrepreneurship in 2019. Bob also held the position of Chair of Entrepreneurship at Kansas State University. He was honored as a Fulbright Fellow in New Zealand and as a Distinguished Visiting Professor in Australia and South Africa. In 1989, Bob received a sabbatical that allowed Joyce, Rob, and him to travel around the world for six months.
In 2003, Bob was honored by the US Small Business Administration as its inaugural national Entrepreneurship Research Advocate. Bob’s expertise earned him the role of elected delegate at both the 1986 and 1995 White House Conferences on Small Business. As the founder and former State Director of the Missouri Small Business Development Centers program, Bob played a pivotal role in helping thousands of Missouri businesses thrive. Through the Brockhaus Group LLC, Bob and his wife Joyce provided decades of consulting services to family businesses across the United States, Europe, and Africa, helping guide companies toward growth and success.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Bob had a passion for travel, community service, Boy Scouts of America, and the Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity. In addition to foreign travel, Bob particularly enjoyed spending time in Buena Vista, Colorado, the Florida Keys, and Innsbrook, Missouri. Bob served four terms as an Alderman in Sunset Hills. He was named Citizen of the Year in the cities of Sunset Hills and Crestwood, Missouri, and received the Lindbergh High School Distinguished Alumnus Award and the Lindbergh Leader Award from the school district. Bob was honored with the Boy Scouts of America District Service Award and served as Vice-Chair for the Gravois District of Boy Scouts of America in St. Louis. He served as House Corporation President for the Pi Kappa Alpha chapter at Missouri University of Science and Technology in Rolla, earning the R.V. Wolf Alumni Service Award and the Distinguished Alumnus Award.
At St. Lucas United Church of Christ, Bob served as a past president of the Church Council. At the Friendship Village retirement community in Sunset Hills, Bob served his community on the Friendship Village Sunset Hills Board of Directors until his passing. Bob’s final travel adventure took him and Joyce on a cruise to Antarctica in February 2024, fulfilling a lifelong dream of visiting every continent.
My deepest sympathy and solidarity go out to the Brockhaus family and other loved ones and friends that Mr. Brockhaus leaves behind. May you take comfort from the fact that the spirit of service to others that he exemplified so superbly will live on through all that the Brockhaus family does to better our community. May he Rest in Peace.
Rob, I am so sorry for your loss. You and your family have been and remain in my prayers. There are no words of comfort to ease the pain of losing a parent. Know I love you and your family.
Joyce, Toni and I send our heartfelt condolences to you and your family at the passing of Bob. He was a very involved person in many good activities and organizations. I enjoyed our times together in Troop 25 activities . Toni has fond memories working with you in Cub Scouts. We wish Gods blessings on your family at this difficult time.
Condolences and prayers to the entire Brockhaus family. May God grant you the peace that passes all understanding as you mourn and also remember and celebrate Bob’s life. He leaves an impressive legacy of service and a life well lived that should inspire us all.
Thinking of you all during this difficult time. Rob, I’m praying for comfort while you grieve the loss of your father. What a well lived and deeply loved life. He will be missed on the sidelines cheering on the grandkids.
Dr Joyce Brockhaus & Rob
My deepest sympathy and sincere condolences to you and the Brockhaus family
Dear Brockhaus family. My deepest condolences. Joyce, I’m so happy that Gary and Bob got together in life, before Gary passed. But they are together talking about the good times. Joyce you have my prayers and thinking of you. Love Lisette Gilbert Mees
Dear Joyce and Family,
So sorry for your loss. We are never ready to say goodbye after a long and good life together. I am so glad that you and Bob came into my life in Buena Vista. God bless you and yours. Take care and keep in touch when you can .
Judy Hassell
Joyce and Family,
I was so deeply saddened to learn of Bob’s passing, but very excited to learn that you and Bob made it to Antarctica! Bob leaves an incredible legacy – a mentor, educator, and friend to so many folks around the world. I and so many others are truly blessed to have known you and Bob over these many years. Keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers. Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual lights shine upon him. Love, Chuck Matthews
I regret that I can’t remember when Bob and I crossed paths. Our family lived in Montgomery City, MO; and I was actively involved with Boy Scouts for numerous years! I appreciate his family and community service. Would be like to reconnect. Our thoughts and prayers to the entire family. Blessings!
Bob had a positive impact on many lives. Truly, a life well lived.
Dear Joyce, I was so sorry to learn of Bob’s passing. He was such an active leader here at Friendship Village and so highly regarded– just as you are. Sincere condolences to you and your family at this difficult time. Kathy Cormack
Very sad to hear the loss of Bob. My deep condolences to his family.
Rob and family,
What a beautiful life, lived so well and as an example for all of us to emulate. I am so happy to read about your father’s lifelong dream to see all seven continents be realized just last February. Your father lives on in all the beautiful lessons he passed down to you and Susan, and that you are currently teaching your kids. With you in spirit for the memorial and sorry I am not there in person tomorrow. Prayers to you and your family,
Fondly, Abby