Robert E. Stadler, Jr., 73, of Columbia, IL, passed away unexpectedly on November 2, 2022. He was born to Audrey and Robert E. Stadler, Sr., in St. Louis, MO. After graduating from Affton High School in 1967, he and his high school sweetheart, Pat (Rahall) Stadler, married on August 22, 1970, and graduated from the University of Missouri in 1971. Bob proudly served our country in the United States Army Reserves. Bob and Pat were grateful to share fifty-two wonderful years together. He was most proud of his two daughters, Kristin and Kalli, their husbands, Nathan and Corey, and his four beautiful granddaughters, Addison, Kamryn, Gracin and Cayla.
Bob graduated with a business degree from Mizzou. He was hired on as an entry-level accountant at Brown Shoe Company. After thirty-seven successful years with Brown, he retired as Senior Vice President of Finance, which included connecting with a large number of employees and overseeing global distribution centers and aircraft. He was a tireless worker, a trusted confidant, a loyal employee, and a man of high integrity. Bob believed when performing a task or job, that one should always deliver more than 100% of what is expected.
Upon his retirement, Bob discovered ways to volunteer which strengthened his Catholic faith. He contributed his financial expertise through various leadership roles in the Knights of Columbus #6165, American Legion Post #581 and several financial committees at Immaculate Conception Church and within the Columbia community.
He was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting and fly fishing. Bob and Pat rode his Harley more than 60,000 miles over the span of twenty years. His love of travel transcended to family vacations with his favorite Team of 10. In 2019, Bob and Pat fulfilled their goal of traveling to all 50 states concluding with a family trip to Alaska. His greatest joy, however, was being called Grandpa. He valued strong communication with all of his girls which included sharing his unsolicited advice and quick wit, capturing humorous selfies, and being an impactful storyteller. Grandpa prioritized being present for each of their milestones, school activities, and sporting events.
In Bob’s own words, “I have been blessed with either having made good life choices or just benefited from a great deal of luck. That said, there’s not much I would do differently if given the opportunity to make another pass through life.”
Surviving are his wife, Pat (Rahall) Stadler of Columbia, IL; daughters Kristin (Nathan) Butler of Columbia, IL and Kalli (Corey) Zavorka of Waterloo, IL; granddaughters, Addison and Gracin Butler; Kamryn and Cayla Zavorka; brother Dave (Jamie) Stadler of Annapolis, MD; dear aunt, cousins, niece and nephew and countless relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents Audrey and Robert Stadler, Sr., his in-laws Philip and Rose Rahall and brother-in-law Michael Rahall.
Visitation at KUTIS FUNERAL HOME AFFTON 10151 Gravois Road, St. Louis, MO 63123 on Sunday, November 6, 4:00-8:00pm. Funeral Mass at IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CHURCH 411 Palmer Road, Columbia, IL 62236 on Monday, November 7, 10:00am with Father Carl E. Scherrer officiating. Interment will follow at Immaculate Conception Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions be directed to The Backstoppers, Knights of Columbus George R. Kutterer Council 6165 at Immaculate Conception Church, American Legion Post #581 in Columbia, IL or the American Heart Association.
Live streaming option for Funeral Mass: https://youtu.be/VMFTMXzyk2E
Dear Pat, Kristin and Kalli. My heart breaks for you and your entire family. Bob, or as I called him, Brother Bob, was a great man and friend. He helped me on numerous occasions. He was such a blessing to everyone. Above all else he cherished his family. You all are in my prayers.
So very sad to hear this shocking news. My deepest sympathy to Pat, Kristin, Kalli, his granddaughters and the rest of his family. Although I can’t be with you on Sunday due to a prior commitment, my thoughts will be with you all. Janet (Zavorka) Harder.
Bob was such a wonderful friend. My thoughts and prayers are with all of your family during this sad and difficult time. May God and family memories bring comfort to all of you always.
Pat and family
We are heartbroken at the passing of our dear friend and neighbor. We will miss the early afternoon and evening talks over the fire pit or dinner. He was always there to help if ever needed. It was apparent that he lived life to the fullest and was rewarded ten times over with a great family. We will miss him.
So shocked to hear this. My deepest condolences to you. Will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
So shocked to hear this. My deepest condolences to you. You will be in my thoughts and prayers.
I worked with Bob at Brown Shoe from 2002 through 2112 before retiring from Famous Footwear. I can’t count the number of times I turned to Bob for advise and guidance related to business issues. He was always there with a smile and willing to lend his knowledge in helping me navigate through challenging times. He “saved me” on multiple occasions. I could never repay that. But what I remember the most is the enjoyment I received just going into his office and just talking. Bob was just a wonderful and kind person. The saying goes that every so often you meet someone that makes you a better person. Bob did that for me and I will always be grateful. I will miss our monthly luncheons together. I will dearly miss him.
Pat, Kristin, Kalli and family, my most sincere condolences for the loss and heartache you are all experiencing. My heart and prayers go out to all of you.
Joe loved the way he met you, Pat. When you and Bob knocked on our door asking what color brick and roof we had as you were getting ready to build your home…what a compliment! Then to discover you were the parents to our neighbors and our kids’ math teacher…small world. After Joe passed, you became our Christmas light elves… what a gift. There is also the prayer shawl story, Pat, you know. All of these are special memories and blessings I will never forget. May peace and God’s blessing be with all of you.
So sorry to hear of Bob’s passing.
Sat across the hall from him for at least 20 years and had some great conversations with him. He was most definitely one of a kind. When I left his office (or vice versa) I always felt better — he just did that to you.
Got to see a lot of Bob’s family pics and want to you to know you are in my family’s prayers.
RIP my friend, Bob Stadler.
I’m so grateful he was able to enjoy his retirement years with family! He’s gone far too soon, but certainly leaves a lasting impact on many of us.
Pat ~ The Rosary Group at the Village of Nazareth are remembering your family as we pray our beads. We didnt know Bob but we know you are very special, and there surely must be another angel around His throne in heaven today. May God surround you and your family with His healing peace.
Bob was a great guy with a strong moral character. I enjoyed the opportunity to with him at Brown Shoe Company from 2021 until 2013. His family is min our prayers.
I am so sad seeing this notice about Bob. We were Affton classmates and Pat and I were in grade school together.
Bob was a wonderful man and my deepest prayers and condolences to you.
Kristin, Pat, and Kalli,
I am so sorry for your loss. I have the best memories of all the times you welcomed us into your home in high school. Kristin thought the world of her dad and loved the relationship they shared. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all during this difficult time. Blessings and love to you all.
I was blessed to know Bob professionally and personally. Bob was the best “sounding board” during my 13 years at Brown Shoe. Our frequent chats were always productive, helpful, and smart. Christine and I have thousands of miles of motorcycle trips with Pat and Bob … adventures, laughs, and truly Love. Hugs to Pat & family. We have a hole in our hearts …
Pat and Family
We were stunned and heartbroken to hear of Bob’s passing. So glad I got to say hello on Halloween, for the last time. He will definitely be missed in the neighborhood, as he and I often waved as we passed on our lawnmowers, a fond memory of mine. We neighbors are here if and when you need us, Pat…
What a sad time. Bob was truly a first class guy. A man of highest integrity and principle.
Bob and I sort of grew up together at Brown. Sometimes competitors but far more often friends, colleagues and supporters.
If there had been a popularity contest at the Company, Bob Stadler would have won, hands down.
As respected as he was, and as proud as he was of his work, it was easy to tell of what he was most proud…..Pat, his daughters and his extended family. A smile would cross his face every time he spoke of them, or shared a family story.
Carol and I extend our deepest condolences to Pat and the entire family.
Our retiree lunch group will miss his company, his humor and his most contagious smile and laugh.
God rest his soul.
Bob and Pat were our next door neighbors when we purchased our first homes in 1975.
We shared raising our families together as we both are blessed each with two wonderful daughters who were all born while we were next door neighbors.
We were able to reconnect with Bob and Pat when Bob’s mother passed away because we had family in the same elder care facility and bumped into each other on occasion.
Bob was a man’s man. He was as honest and forthright as any man I’ve ever known.
He leaves a wonderful and loving family behind as he now rests with God.
I hope Bob has another pickup truck in heaven because he did not get to enjoy his new truck on earth nearly long enough.
All of our thoughts and prayers are with Pat, his daughters and grandchildren all of which he adored.
We dearly and deeply miss Bob. He was a friend a friend would want to have.
Dear Pat and Family,
My sincere condolences. I will miss Bob immensely and consider myself so fortunate to have met him and to have called him my friend and neighbor for far too short of time. Even at my advanced age Bob was a role model to me. To some extent I saw him as the older brother that I never had who I could go to for advice and counsel. We shared many common views on things such as our love of Ford pickup trucks . God bless and comfort you all.
Dear Pat and Family,
My heart goes out to you and your family. You will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Love, Helen
Pat, So sorry to hear of your loss. My deepest condolences to you and your family.
Pat and family, I was so sorry to hear about your loss, and I am sorry that I live so far away that I could not attend . I was privileged and honored to work with Bob for many years at Brown Shoe, and I learned so much him. Not the least of which was how to welcome sons-in-law in the family over steak and beer. Bob demonstrated the highest integrity and ethics, and was counted on by so many at the company. I was fortunate to consider him a mentor and a friend. My wish for you is that your warm memories of Bob can help to bring you some amount of comfort during this difficult time.
My condolences to the family of Bob. I worked with Bob at Brown Shoe Company before he retired. I worked in IT Support and interacted with Bob on numerous occasions. He was a great guy – always pleasant and positive. Bob was one of those upper level Executives who ALWAYS treated you as an equal, no matter what your position in the company was. He was well liked and respected by everyone who knew him and worked for him. I consider it a privilege to say I worked with Bob at Brown Shoe.
Kristen,
We are thinking of your family, and praying God grants you peace. While we never had the pleasure of meeting your dad, it is quite apparent what a good man and father he was. After all, he helped raise you to become the lovely woman you are today.
Pat and Girls,
It’s with a heavy heart I write this today.
The words that come to mind when I think of Bob are honorable, honest, thoughtful, hard working, family, integrity, funny, and wise.
Truly, without him I would never have made it at Cloth World. He kept me out of trouble on so many occasions.
With his brains and my outlandish ideas we made it work pretty well.
I like to think of he and Bob Gibbs together again and enjoying each others company.
Prayers and Blessing,
Don Richey
Psalms 139