Teahan, Robert Lawrence

A Life Well-Lived

Robert Lawrence Teahan

 November 19, 1935-October 31, 2024

Teahan, Robert Lawrence Fortified with the Sacraments of Holy Mother Church on Thursday, October 31, 2024.

Loving husband of the late Kay Teahan (nee Rody); beloved father of Julie (Mike) Honsinger, Lisa (Rocky) Fikki, Robin (Bruce) Lukasek, Robert Teahan and Thaddeus (Elizabeth) Teahan;  dearest son of the late James and Beatrice Teahan (nee Benner); dear grandfather of 12; great-grandfather of 16; brother of Richard (the late JoAnn) Teahan, the late Nancy Meyer and Kathleen (Kirk) Richter; our dear uncle, cousin and friend of many.

Robert L. Teahan was born on November 19, 1935, in East St. Louis, Illinois. Robert, born of Scotch-Irish and French-Canadian heritage, was the third child of four siblings to Beatrice and James Teahan.  Robert, or Bob, as many have known him, attended St. Patrick’s Catholic Grade School in East St. Louis, and graduated from Assumption All Boys Catholic High School.  He attended Belleville Junior College in Belleville, IL and studied architecture.

While attending school he met Kay Rody at a weekly dance in St. Libory.  They dated long distance and eventually married December 19, 1958, married for 59 years until she passed in 2017. Bob is father of 5; Julie, Lisa, Robin, Tony and Tad.   He is grandfather to 12 and a great-grandfather to 16. He is a role model to his children, grand and great-grandchildren. They lovingly call him “Pa-Dad”.

Bob began his working career for the Missouri-Pacific Railroad, as a fireman, he then moved up the ranks and scheduled rail crews in the busy St. Louis hub. His work ethic and dedication to workers’ rights propelled his nomination and election to stand for the Brotherhood of Railway, Airline, and Steamship Clerks at the local lodge level and later the Regional Level where he challenged and won for his constituents.

He also made name for himself in the unincorporated town of Fairview Heights, as the Chairman of the Zoning Board, a volunteer role that was nominated and voted upon, for more than 40 years. He even took his eldest grandchild to bike ride through undeveloped areas of Fairview Heights to find areas for land development and improvement. His legacy of service lives on in Fairview Heights and has instilled a sense of community service as his legacy to his family.

As a young boy and teen Bob grew fond of outdoor life and spent many summers with his maternal uncle and aunt, Ted and Alma Penhall on their homestead near Hopewell, MO.  Bob was an animal lover and enjoyed the outdoors. He enjoyed the simpler country life of a homestead, as a nature and animal lover.  He would later write several short stories of his adventures “on the farm” at his uncle’s homestead in the Missouri hills.  Bob also was heavily influenced by his next door neighbor, Welton LaChance, who mentored and taught him the fishing skills he would hone and carry for his entire life.

Bob was a lifelong angler, catching crappies, bluegill, bass and just about anything that swam.  His love of fishing was passed down to his children, sons and daughters in law and grandchildren as well. Boating on Carlyle Lake or Lake Kincaid was one of Bob’s favorite outdoor activities.  Many loved Bob’s fish fry’s which were quite a treat during the summer months. He fished all of Southern Illinois, Lake Wood Lake with family and had many friends that invited him to their ponds and lakes with the “kiddies” to try their luck.

Bob led an athletic life, playing basketball and football in both high school and college.  Following in his older brother’s footsteps, he became an avid sports fan and athlete, lettering in both at Belleville Junior College in the early years of their landmark football program. Bob was actively involved in coaching his sons’ sports teams when they were young.  He had a talent for motivating young players to strive for their best on the court and the field. Bob also played volleyball and was a talented spiker and server for a competitive men’s league in the area.  He enjoyed bicycle-riding with his dog Tippy Toes.  Bob taught his children to ride bikes, many of those that he overhauled and renovated. He went on to coach his youngest son in BMX bike racing and traveled all over the region competing and winning races. He started a legacy BMX tradition that has been passed down to his grandson.

Besides, a love for his family, his animals and the outdoors, Bob had quite a green thumb, proudly growing beautiful plants and blackberries in his backyard.  His blackberries starters were usually harvested on long bike rides and roadside finds.  He would make jellies, pies and delicious cobblers. His family adored these tasty treats.  Bob grew cherries and added those to his delicious recipes.  That green thumb extended to flowering bushes and Bob grew an 18 plus foot trellis rose up to the roof of his home that was featured in the Belleville News-Democrat as the areas tallest, a possible Guinness world record rose was entertained.

Talented at many things, Bob returned to his writing skills and wrote beautiful stories, and poems reflecting his talent for the written word.  His poetry was published in 2002. He loved opera, romance singers, and jazz and would tap dance and jitterbug with his children and grandchildren.  He was an exceptional father and mentor to family and friends.  He used his artistic talent to build many things, including his shaded patio with grill and slab seating, hand-carved rubber-band guns to his children’s delight, and curated family night activities, which included buttered popcorn and “sody”. He designed and built magnificent birdhouses and engraved them with the names of his family. He crafted wooden walking stilts and taught his grandchildren how to use them.  He wood burned each grandchild and great grandchild’s name into a child-sized rocker that is  a cherished family treasure and tradition. He had so many talents and he shared them generously.

Bob lived a wonderful life. He enjoyed his family, working for the benefit of his work colleagues and for the community. He was a friend to many and a helping hand to those needing help.  He was the light in his children’s eyes and his grandchildren adore him. They say that there will never be another like an individual, and that is true. Bob will be remembered for his intelligence, aptitude, warm smile, giving nature, and as the one of the best guys you would want on your side. Look for Bob in the early morning cardinal, the darting deer near the tree line, the tug of the crappie on the line, the long bike ride and the cool summer breeze, sitting on the patio just being in his presence, those bluest of blue eyes and dashing smile.

Service Tuesday, November 5, 9:30 a.m. from KUTIS AFFTON CHAPEL, 10151 Gravois Rd. to St. Justin Martyr for a 10:00 a.m. MASS.  Interment at 1:30 p.m. at Mt. Carmel Cemetery.  (Belleville, IL)  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Masses Preferred or the Alzheimer’s Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl. 17, Chicago, IL 60601. https://act.alz.org/    Visitation Monday 4:00 – 8:00 p.m.