Robert Raymond Olliges
March 25, 1932 – March 26, 2020
Robert “Bob” Olliges passed quietly from this life and made his way to heaven Thursday morning, March 26th, at home with those who loved him by his side.
Bob was born March 25, 1932 in St. Louis to William and Alberta (Margold) Olliges. A lifelong St. Louisan, Bob first worked with his father William “Bill” Olliges at Automotive Brake. He then worked at Quality Dairy, Sealtest Dairy, Anderson Motor Freight and OK Trucking, driving as a member of the Teamsters, and for a number of years served as a weekend dispatcher for Yellow Cab company. After retiring from driving, he worked for Boatmen’s Bank and then answered phones for Plumbing Masters. He was a lifelong Catholic and member of St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church.
He will be wholeheartedly missed, but is at peace after battling several chronic illnesses. Reflecting on his life journey, we admire how much he had both accomplished and experienced. A father to 4, stepfather to 1, grandfather to 14, and great grandfather to 7, his life was never short of love, excitement, or babysitting. He showed up to celebrate birthday parties, First Communions and Confirmations, sporting events, graduations, school Grandparent’s Days, and O’Charley’s dinner outings with a big smile on his face; he had his Tervis of something sweet and cold with him and the best kisses for your cheeks. He loved to dance, sing, and play the drums, blitz, gin rummy, and dominoes, and he never liked to lose. And there was always a dog at home by his side!
Remembering his overwhelming charm and caring demeanor leaves one with both a smile and tears. Losing an exemplary loved one always strikes a painful chord. However, there is significant beauty in being able to appreciatively look at his long life and think “that was a life full of love and living.” Bob never knew a stranger and generously gave smiles and compliments to all.
He said his final goodbye in the comfort of his own home with his wife and children by his side, just one day after celebrating a small, Neil Diamond-full party with him for his 88th birthday on March 25th.
He wrote one hell of a life story. His smile and presence will be eternally missed, but fortunately, bits and pieces of his dynamic personality will carry on within his children and their children.
Bob is survived by his wife Gerry (Roncal) Olliges, and his children: Kathleen (Olliges) & Kevin Tofall, Mark & Terry Olliges, Valerie (Olliges) & Joseph Elking, Lisa (Olliges) & Greg Green (Joplin) and Teresa (Roncal) & Ron Deno.
Bob was preceded in death by his wife Mary Jane Dorothy (Menke) Olliges, brother Dale Olliges and his parents.
Due to recent events, you can now leave online condolences with each obituary posted on the Kutis Funeral Home website.
COVID-19 Funeral Assistance – FEMA is now helping those that have lost a loved one from COVID-19. Click HERE to review the information on eligibility and requirements on the COVID-19 Funeral.
COVID-19 Funeral Assistance – FEMA is now helping those that have lost a loved one from COVID-19. Click HERE to review the information on eligibility and requirements on the COVID-19 Funeral.
I remember Bob from St Joan of Arc choir when he sang with us for a short period. After that I’d see him and his wife coming to Mass, always sitting near the back on the southeast side of the nave.
Great guy who will be missed by the church community.
I am so very sorry for Gerry and her family on the loss of a great, kind man, loving husband and compassionate father. I didn’t know about Bob until today, April 13. He will be truly missed, but I hope the wonderful life he shared with Gerry and with everyone who was close to him, will provide peace and lasting memories during this difficult time. Gerry and I have been close friends since our employment together at Bethesda Health Group. I hope that our many thoughts and prayers will bring comfort to Gerry and her family. With sincere sympathy, Debbie Stewart
Wow. That was one of the most beautiful eulogies I’ve ever read. It portrays him so well. 🙂
I’m here because it’s been awhile since I’ve seen my old neighbors. I was wondering how he was doing and I’ve been missing Gerry.
My Angel of an aunt (Pat) passed away last year, and, the only place I’ve ever called “home” was sold. Gerry was always so kind and friendly to my family, but she was extra compassionate and caring to me when I had an emotional breakdown in the alley over a sentimental item that my uncle threw into the dumpster.. So, I’ve been wanting to say “Thank You” for a long time. Plus, her edgy spunk always made me smile 🙂 She had a knack for putting her hubby in his place. Especially towards the end when he was crabby and snippy.
I apologize in advance.. After finding out of his passing, I became flooded with so many memories and emotions. Therefore, I have the feeling that I’m going to write a LOT. 😉
I grew up in the house next door to “Mr. O” (I’ve always called him that). When I was young, he always bought plenty of Girl Scout cookies and other fundraising items from me when I knocked on his door. He was also always eager to throw my balls and frisbees back over the fence 🙂
I remember his dog Brandy would sometimes stray into the alley and I’d have to lure her back into the yard with bologna 🙂 A few years later, I’m pretty sure that he put up the red privacy fence because his dog Zoey liked to hop over into my yard to play.. I didn’t mind. I adored Zoey. (I gave her bologna too lol).
My first memories of him were the sounds of the loud motor when he’d pull up in the yard and put his motorcycle into the shed, the gigantic “O” on the awnings, and the caged squirrel along our adjacent fence 🙂
A couple years later when Joey started coming over, he would spy on us from the back porch and yell at me when I was being mean or bossy. So, I guess you could say that he taught me how to be nice 🙂 (Joey, I’m so sorry about that btw.. I didn’t have a little brother to harass, so you were the target lol).
As a teenager, he aggravated me because he always called to inform my parents that I had boys in the yard, or he’d snitch on me for smoking in the alley.. I thought of him at that point as the “GET OFF MY LAWN!” type of neighbor 🙂 ..The title suited him well because the grass was actually always greener on his side of the fence. 🙂 He took pride in the lawn.. I still remember the smell of burning grass in the air, and jumping through his sprinkler.
It wasn’t until my 20’s that I realized he was just looking out for me. I began to appreciate his “eyes and ears” especially when I moved back home to escape an abusive relationship.. He seemed to always know when someone suspicious was lurking around. He kept a good eye out and always alerted me of potential danger. I always felt safe knowing that he was around 🙂 .
Let’s not forget about how ‘strong” his voice was.. I swear, I used to assume that him and my Grandpa had a secret competition to find out whose voice could echo the farthest throughout the neighborhood (from the inside of the house lol) I never figured out who either of them were yelling at lol.. but it was always just a harmless type of “tough love” and frustration, so it was probably just their wives 🙂
As my grandparents got older, he would always come running to help my Grandpa up when his Parkinson’s started to cause him to fall all the time. I remember coming home from school and finding my Grandpa in the strangest predicaments. He would sometimes just automatically say “You might as well just call Mr. O ..because I don’t think you’ll be able to get me outta this one.” 🙂 (Grandpa was 5’10” 240, and Mr.O was freakishly strong lol).
His son Mark was friends with my mom and Aunt Terry. They went to school together. Then, about 5 years ago I started a new job, and was surprised to see that he worked there. I didn’t realize he would eventually become one of my supervisors lol. Everyone called him MO, but it took me awhile to get used to it. I always knew him as “Mr.O’s son”, or “Mark”, or”The guy next door with the squirrel”, or “The dude that painted my house” or “The guy with the pretty wife and adorable daughters.” I remember how cute Chelsea looked when she first got her glasses. (Sorry for all the labels Mark. You eventually graduated to “The crab on the forklift” lol)
My oldest cousin had a secret crush on Mr. O’s daughter Lisa, especially when she was sunbathing in the backyard. 🙂 My grandpa often yelled at him for being a creep lol. I always admired her journalism career in Joplin, that Mr.O often bragged about.
My 2nd oldest cousin always admired Valerie’s long blonde hair.. But, no matter how hard she tried, she could never seem to buy the right box of dye to match it 🙂 I remember Lydia’s hair was nearly the same color and envied by a few of my friends 😉 ..and the cute lil chubby cheeks on the youngest one! I remember how much fun Mr.O and big Joe had in the galvanized pool in the backyard. My family has always supported Plumbing Masters. Joey and one of my oldest friends Ricky Z were the ones who installed the bathroom in our basement. I still miss that shower lol.
I didn’t know much about his daughter Kathy and her husband Kevin but I remember how much I loved their dog Shadow. He had what I called “Raven fur”.. his coat was so dark and shiny. When the sun beamed on it, It had a beautiful bluish tint, like the feathers of a raven. I also remember being on a T-ball team with one of their daughters. We practiced at Kennard School, in the schoolyard. She hit the ball pretty hard sometimes. I apologize for not remembering their names.
The neighbor on the end was named Charlie. He was the nosey gossip of the block. Between Charlie and Mr.O, (eyes and ears), we were always informed of everything. I used to think that Mr.O knew everyone in the entire city, due to the massive amount of cars that honked and waved at him when they drove by. 🙂
..I also remember every time the tornado sirens went off. Everyone always scrambled into the basement, but my Grandpa, Mr.O, and Mr. Columbo across the street would always be found on their porches, fearlessly staring into the black skies.
That neighborhood was truly alive.
Mr.O always showed up at our family funerals to pay his respects and offer his condolences. After he met his awesome wife Gerry, she was always right by his side as well. When I worked as a manager at Fazolis, they came in every Monday for Senior discount night. He was always so thrifty, that I sometimes felt the need to discount their meal completely.
Even though they were polar opposites like yin and yang, they seemed to somehow complete the circle and even everything out. I wanted them to keep coming back.. And I’m pretty sure that my extra discount helped lol.
On certain holidays Gerry made special treat bags for the kids, and later for my grandkids. They always looked forward to that..
I didn’t know much about his first wife. I was pretty young when she passed. I do remember seeing her smoking cigarettes in the backyard and planting flowers and landscaping a lot. She always smiled at me and waved. She was a big contribution to their beautiful lush lawn. They made a great team in that aspect, but I also remember how much they bickered back and forth at each other. 🙂 My grandparents were the same way, so I always felt at home lol
I feel horrible for not being around when it was his turn to receive the respects of my family. If the house wouldn’t have sold so fast, I guarantee that everyone in my family would’ve been there as well. He was probably the healthiest and most active 80yr old I’d ever seen. My aunt Pat always talked about how she should be walking like he was. I always thought of him as the “Old guy”, even when I was 5. Therefore, once I hit my 30’s, he seemed Immortal to me. 🙂
The bottom line is that Mr.O played a significant role in my life and in the lives of my family. He’s one of the many people who contributed to my happy childhood. I will forever be grateful for that. My heart sank when I found this obituary. Hugs and love to the entire family. He will truly be missed.