Born: June 27, 1955 - Deceased: June 19, 2024
Robert Leonard Chavez Jr., 68, of Belleville, IL, born Monday, June 27, 1955, in Oklahoma City, OK, passed away Wednesday, June 19, 2024 surrounded by family at his residence in Belleville, IL.
Robert was the owner of Peachtree Foods.
My dad lived a simple, fulfilling life. If he wasn’t working, spending time with us, or at an AA meeting, you could find him at the gym. As a power lifter, he was able to squat an astounding 550lbs before his illness. He was the strongest, most buff grandpa I or anyone had ever seen. “He’s a beast!” people would say, and they were right. He didn’t let anything stop him; age was just a number.
He was an active member of the AA community, and his transformation through the program was incredible. His peaceful acceptance of his diagnosis, and last few months, were due to his experiences with AA. The program allowed him to not only help himself on his journey to sobriety, but many others along the way. He delivered many motivational speeches for the prison populations in both Illinois and Missouri, as well as in AA meetings. I had the privilege of hearing him speak several times, and he was always in his element. He loved sharing his story, and the fact it affected and inspired so many.
But he never bragged about doing good; he didn’t want or need the attention for it. He did it because he cared, and because he truly enjoyed it. If he saw a homeless person, he would buy them clothes and food. He spent many holidays as a volunteer feeding the homeless. When snowstorms hit, he’d drive around in his 4×4 truck looking for people who were stuck and needed help. Just a few examples of the countless ways he would help those in need.
We all benefited from his presence in our lives. Anyone that knew my dad, knew that his life revolved around me and his grandchildren, Cameron and Carina. He said to me many times, “You guys are the reason I wake up every morning.” Not many kids can say their grandpa is their best friend. Their bond of unconditional love was a priceless gift, one that I shared as well. Our world is darker without him, but the values he instilled in me and his grandchildren will live on through us.”
Robert was preceded in death by his:
- Father, Robert Leonard Chavez, Sr.
- Mother, Lola Jean, nee Gilchrist, Buckhanan
- Step father, Freeman Buckhanan
Surviving are his:
- Daughter, Savannah (Jake) Roesch of Belleville, IL
- Brother, Steven Buckhanan of Belleville, IL
- Sisters:
- Patti Pursell of Belleville, IL
- Beverly Buckhanan of Belleville, IL
- Valerie Chavez of Terre Haute, IN
- Barbara Stempel of St. Clair, MO
- Grandchildren:
- Cameron Roesch
- Carina Roesch
- Dear nieces and nephews
Services: Celebration of Life will be held at 5:00 p.m., Saturday, July 20, 2024 at Scottish Rite Masonic Bodies, 225 East “A” Street, Belleville, IL.
9 Comments
I was a grade school and high school classmate of “Bobby.” I was glad to reconnect with him recently on FB. What an inspiration it was to read of his mental and emotional strength as he dealt with the things life handed to him! I also loved reading about his love for his family. He was in my prayers, and all of you are in my prayers as well.
I will miss everything about you dear Brother. From our blunt conversations to our love for each other. Please watch over us all. Stop in to see me and speak to me anytime. Love and miss you dearly.
I reached out to Bobby just a few months ago and had hoped to see him at our Class Reunion. I always had a good time with Bobby and I’ll always remember his zest for life. I’m happy that his Christian faith was such a powerful tool of positive change in his life. Rest well, my friend… job well done!!!
Mr. Robert would always tell me,” I have the power to change the way I think. That no matter how I was feeling it was just a thought not an action”. I only got the privilege to know him this last year, but I learned and so much from listening to him and calling upon him. Thank you Mr. Robert for showing me how this works not only for me but for my family as well. I will see you again after I trudge the road to happy destiny. May God bless you until then.
I knew your father for short time (just 2-3 yrs). But it didn’t take long to realize that he was everything you mentioned & more.
I thought he was a little crazy showing us pictures of him hanging on a airplane @ 3,000 ft #skydiving.
I believe I’m a better person from knowing Robert
Love 🫂 and prayers to savannah and the family 🪽❤️🕊
I spent so many years angry at Bobby for for his past, only to find out that people really can change. It’s not just some cliché thing people say. He worked so hard to make amends and do right by his family/friends.
I have to admit, I was quite skeptical and pretty hard on him in the beginning. Slowly he was able to prove he indeed changed and the true Bobby came back out in him.
I saw him love my sister and his grand babies like no other. There was a sparkle in his eyes that nobody could ever replace!
I am so thankful I was able to reconnect with him and had the extra time. He was truly one of the most caring & funny individuals I have ever met.
I was proud to say that I got the privilege to grow up with Bobby, went to school with him and his siblings, even though there were 4yrs between us, we always got along, We spoke on fb just a couple months ago, he told me what he was going thru. Bobby went thru alot of stuff in his young years but goes to show how one can change. Bobby was and is an awesome young man to kept alot to hisself, but I am sorry he had to endure what he went thru. Bobby, you were always a special guy and will always hold a place in my heart, So sorry you had to suffer so much these past few months. We will meet again one day, You came from a wonderful family and my heart is filled with sorry for them. They loved you unconditionally. Carry on my brother. we’ll see you in the bye and bye,
I remember Bob from high school…he was a cutie! Nice, sweet, happy guy with a big smile. I’m so sorry to hear of his passing and send my sympathy to his family. God bless!