On August 9, 2026, the Lord called our Daddy home—leaving behind no more pain, no more confusion, just peace.
He passed away just a few short weeks shy of his 94th birthday, living a wonderful life to the age of 93.
Born on August 27, 1932, Bob was the last surviving sibling of his family, having outlived his brother and sisters: Margaret Leonard, Marian Volk, and Cletus (Clete) Rompel.
He was preceded in death by the love of his life, his wife of 61 years, Joanne Rompel, who was the wind beneath his wings and whom he has deeply missed since she passed in 2018.
Bob adored his family above all else. He leaves behind to cherish his memory his daughter, Gerry Rompel Davidson, and her husband, Gary; his daughter, Patty Patricia Rompel Pickering, and her husband, Stacy; his adored grandson, Robert “Bobby” Davidson, and his wife, Amanda; and his precious great-grandson, Alex Hughes. Bob also had numerous friends and extended relatives. As he grew older, he outlived many of his dearest companions, and was often found spending his time sitting back, smiling, and talking about the “good ole days” to anyone who would listen.
Bob was a devout and practicing man of faith, and teaching his children to go to church every Sunday was always deeply important to both Bob and Joanne (though, as he got older, he also insisted to everyone that as a Catholic you didn’t always have to eat fish on Fridays after the age of 65—a rule nobody ever quite found anywhere in the books, but we humored him on this nonetheless!).
Bob loved working outside and was a real sports fan at heart. He loved camping, jugging, having a home at Lake Egypt, and cheering on his beloved St. Louis Cardinals (as long as they were winning). Above all, he simply loved visiting with people. Quick-witted and always ready with a joke to make you smile, even as the years added up, Bob never lost his sharp edge or his favorite line: “Getting old ain’t for sissies.”
Throughout his working life, Bob held many jobs, with a great number of them rooted in family. He spent years working at CARR Products, his brothers’ business, later worked alongside his daughter Patty selling insurance. Bob took most afternoons making sure his grandson got picked up from school on time to help his family, spent years as a huge support behind the scenes for his wife Joanne with Odyssey of the Mind events both local and worldwide and spent his final 18 working years selling real estate side-by-side with his daughter Gerry at Keller Williams Renaissance and Century 21 Prestige until his well-earned retirement.
Special thanks to all The Garden Place staff in Millstadt for all your care with Dad and making him feel so loved, and to Freeburg LaBella for your continuous care for the last leg of his journey.
Bob was loved deeply, and he will be missed beyond measure by so many—especially his family, who will carry his memory in their hearts forever.
Well done, good and faithful servant.
Give Mom a hug for us, Daddy.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Illinois Knowledge Quest, Inc. c/o Odyssey of the Mind. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com.
Visitation: Friends and family may visit from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, August 13, 2026, at George Renner & Sons Funeral Home, Belleville, IL.
Funeral: Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, August 13, 2026, at George Renner & Sons Funeral Home, Belleville, IL, with Msgr. Jack McEvilly officiating.
Burial will be at Mount Carmel Catholic Cemetery, Belleville, IL.
