Robert Michael Heaney
On Thursday June 6, 2019 God the Almighty Father in Heaven called his son Robert Michael Heaney home to eternal rest to be with his loving wife of 45 years who passed just 5 short weeks ago.
Beloved husband to the late Mary (née Finn) Heaney, father to Shannon (Ben) Terrill and Kevin P. Heaney. Son of the late Hugh and Alice Heaney. Bob is preceded in death by his brother Patrick J. Heaney and his sister Joan (nee Heaney) Welch. Son-in-Law to the late Leo and Lily Finn. Dear father-in-law, brother-in-law, uncle, friend, teacher, mentor to many.
Robert ‘Bob’ was born on the Southside of Chicago, baptized at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church on W. 66th Street and grew up in Little Flower Parish. He attended Leo High School and went on to study Mechanical Engineering at St. Ambrose University in Davenport, IA with a stint in the United States Navy in between. First a mechanical engineer, later a business owner and mentor and a wood worker in retirement, Bob was always a curious mind on how things worked.
Traveling for sales, he met his wife Mary through a salesman who worked for him. After marrying her in Atlanta, GA they moved to St. Louis where he purchased his first of many companies. He would buy and sell many different companies through the years learning each one to expertise, but more importantly touching the lives of the people who worked with them through leadership and mentorship. He made the lives of everyone he worked with better.
A leader by example in business and in life he made decisions with a strong moral compass. He traveled to Muncie, IN. where he had purchased a business, for almost 25 years during the week sacrificing self comfort on the road so that his family could have a better life, without ever a complaint or selfish thought.
As a man who knew “a little bit about everything” he instilled the importance of education in his children. From the times tables and Math worksheets he would bring home in the summers to the required reading he would impose to the off the top of his head historical facts he shared; he was determined to make a better life for his children.
He coached various soccer and softball teams for his kids. He even endured a broken nose one Father’s Day after Shannon finally connected on a pitch he threw. He was very dedicated to his children’s education. At Villa Duchesne, he served on the Board of Trustees; he headed up the Fathers’ Club; and he helped start the Development department. Bob shared his love of fly fishing with his children, especially Kevin. They looked forward to every Easter weekend to open fly fishing season.
In his retirement, Bob returned to his passion of wood working. He found joy and purpose in making something that was meaningful to a friend and sharing it with them. If you haven’t see his handy work you can see it here: https://heaneyswoodshop.com/bobs-favortie-projects
Many of you may have a plaque or a child’s toy made lovingly by Bob. Please cherish it and remember he only made things for those he loved.
Bob was always selfless even up until his last days always responding “doin’ fine” when asked about himself. Always worried about his wife’s health more than his own. He was a provider to his family, a mentor to those who worked with him and a friend to any lucky enough to share a beer with him. Never one to worry he was always there with advice to make your problems seem fixable and a helping hand to guide you through.
Services: A memorial Mass will be held for both Mary and Bob Heaney on Saturday, July 20 at 10:30 AM at St. Anselm Parish, 500 S. Mason Rd. 63141. In continued self-sacrifice, Mr. Robert Heaney has donated his body to Saint Louis University Medical School. Supporting Catholic education was a true passion of Robert’s, so in lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made in Bob’s memory to Villa Duchesne/Oak Hill School or St. Louis Priory School.
Condolence(1)-
Craig Parsley says
June 14, 2019 at 9:02 pmA wonderful person, a great friend and mentor. Rest In Peace Bob, you will always be in my thoughts. We had a great friendship and as “flat mates”, many great discussions, you taught me a great deal…..there was never a time we had an “awkward” moment, I loved you like an older Brother and learned so very much from you about almost any subject we talked about. Craig & Carol