Robert "Bob" Eugene Jeitz
August 22, 1949 ~ March 31, 2021
Robert "Bob" Jeitz, of Palestine, was a dedicated husband, father, grandfather and friend who will be greatly missed. He passed away at the age of 71 on Wednesday, March 31, 2021. Bob was born in Pierre, South Dakota, to Walter and Alice Buchanan Jeitz on August 22, 1949. Upon graduating from high school, he attended the South Dakota School of Mines, obtained a degree as an engineer and worked in the field for over forty years. Bob was married to his beautiful wife, Jo (Lehecka) Jeitz, and they were blessed to recently celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary together.
Bob was a man who cherished his family. He pretended to be an old grump at times, but you would never know it if you saw him chatting with people everywhere he went. He was a devout member of a bible study group and loved cheering on his grandkids at all of their sporting events. As far as living, he preferred the country to the big city and enjoyed the great outdoors. He would tell you he liked his hamburgers burnt and he never met a donut he didn't like.
Bob leaves behind his wife, Jo Jeitz, of Palestine, TX; children, Tanya (Doug) Schneider of Arlington, Virginia; as well as Jason (Jennifer) Jeitz of Centerville, TX. In addition, he had four grandchildren who truly meant the world to him. They were Kirsten and Kasen Jeitz and Samson and Lukas Schneider. Bob also leaves behind a brother, Ron Jeitz, as well as many other relatives and friends that he loved. He is preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Bernie Jeitz.
A Celebration of Life service to honor Bob Jeitz is to be conducted at Rhone Funeral Home on April 25, 2021 at 3:00 p.m. Following the service, the family will have a private interment at St. Joseph's Cemetery.
In lieu of customary remembrances, memorial contributions in Bob Jeitz's memory can be made to EastTexasFoodbank.org.
Memorial and cremation services for Robert "Bob" Jeitz are in care of Rhone Funeral Home, 3900 S. State Highway 19, Palestine, Texas.
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Bob has been a part of my life for many, many years. Bob and I graduated from high school together and he married my sister, Jo. Bob was such a character. He had such a dry humor and could always make you laugh. He was such a part of our family and he will be greatly missed. Will miss you Bob!
Jo and family
Our thoughts and prayers for the loss of Bob memories of Bob’s life as family friends will be in our hearts forever
God Speed
Worked with Bob for many years and always enjoyed and appreciated his candidness…believe me, he wasn’t shy in calling BS when he saw it. The world needs more Bobs. A lot of great times over the years. Still have our 1st place horseshoe throwing trophy from the Freestone county fair of many years ago. My condolences to Jo and family.
I graduated from high school with Bob in 1967. Â We always sought each other out in the hallways as we really enjoyed visiting with each other. Â I, too, enjoy Bible study, and see we enjoyed many other similar things during our adult lives. Â
I was a classmate of Bob’s and extend my condolences to his family. May God’s “peace that passes understanding,” (Phil. 4:7) uplift and uphold the family at this time of sadness. Bob is now enjoying the bliss of heaven.
In God’s lavish love,
Paulette Huber Allwardt
A stand up guy from a stand up family. I have so many memories of the Jeitz family when I was growing up in Pierre. When I moved to Texas Jo and Bob were kind enough to let my best friend and me stay with them. They loaned us their credit card to rent a car. We promptly denied buying the insurance shortly before we promptly totaled the car. I really did not want to make that phone call. Crazy enough they were pretty ok with it. In 1981 a Chevy Vega cost $2450.00. I will never forget the price of an 81 Vega. I will never forget the kindness of Bob and Jo. My condolences to Jo and family. Â
Bob was part of our family for over 50 years and yet there was always something new to learn about him. He was never much of a game player, so we were quite surprised to find out he definitely had a competitive streak! On a recent visit, Bob and Jo suggested we play a game their grandkids loved to play called Pass the Pig. During the game, I had rolled the pigs. After they landed Bob shouted in glee, PIG OUT, which meant I would loose all my points. I disagreed with him and told him to take a closer look. Bob went one step further and pulled out his phone, taking a picture, just to prove that indeed he was right, as the pigs’ snouts were touching! Who would have thought that a game could bring out a person’s true character trait. Bob, who was normally so laid back could no longer pretend. Now we knew better!
Most grandparents want to give their grandchildren everything. In Bob’s case- almost everything. A family legend tells how Bob had to protect his rock collection from any and all marauders knowing that kids do not like bugs. Bob had a fabulous idea! Those horrible sounding cicadas did leave something useful behind- the shells. Bob searched everywhere throughout his property to create an army of creatures to protect his treasure. He strategically placed the cicada shells in front of his collection. The very first time the kids tried to access the rocks, the cicadas did their job and off they went screaming. And yes, the rocks were safe for ever! Leave it to Bob to solve the problem and get a few laughs along the way.Â
Speaking of cicada shells, Bob shared his love for them with his mother in law. His accomplice, Jo, loved the idea and decided to send a special Christmas box to Pierre, whose content was unknown. In his mother in law’s true style, the box of cicada shells became a family heirloom that was shared with family and friends for years to come! Â
While visiting Jo and Bob several years back, we discovered Bob had taken up a rather unique hobby. He and Jo shared it while we were taking a walk. Everyday they would place 5 or 6 coins, mostly pennies on the railroad tracks they crossed. The next day on the walk they gathered the coins that had been thrown and stretched after the train had run over them. We must say it was fascinating to see the differences of the coins after being stretched. Bob was quite the inquirer, trying to see what factors played a role in the outcome of the shape of the coins. Was it the year of the coin, the size of the coin, or just where it was placed on the track. He decided he would gather all the coins and create some kind of art masterpiece. Who would have guessed that Bob was an artist at heart. We will look back at those coins we saved and remember the fun behind them. Â
Jo, we are so sorry that you and all of us had to say good bye to Bob as he truly played a big part in all of our lives. He will continue to live in our hearts and when we think of him and our times together, we will be smiling.Â
Tanya, so very sorry to hear about the loss of your father. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. — Ronald B. Krisko
Jo and family we are so sorry to hear of your loss of Bob. Â He put up a good fight and is at peace with no pain now. Â You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
Billy and Arlyne
I met Bob and Jo just a few years ago when he and Jo join our Bible study at Sacred Heart. What an impact he made in our class and in my life. Our class will forever remember his honest questions and speed in consulting google. He has been immortalized with a weekly tribute of apple fritter bites. Bob never came to class without them. I will never forget how proud he was when at 70 he got a tatto of a cross on his arm.. I thought he was pulling my leg but he said it was something he always wanted to do and at 70 he did it. I will missed him terribly. He kept us honest.
I met Bob at the Tuesday morning bible study at Sacred Heart Catholic Church several years ago. He was the best at asking questions and googling. He and Jo brought us all blessings and joy. He loved his apple fritter bites and so do we. He and Jo gifted us with so many thoughtful things of which I treasure. I will continue to pray for Bob, and for Jo’s peace.
Oh Jo I’m so sad for you and your entire family for your loss of Bob! But … I am “grateful†that his pain and struggle with cancer has ended! My gosh he sure gave it his all ~ he’s a fighter! I admire his strength! I have many fond memories of Bob but I have to say my favorite is the time he came to Las Vegas for a convention and we all went to a show at the Hilton. It was a very vivacious show and Bob, in his unique style, jumped up on the table and started singing, clapping and dancing and truly “joined inâ€. I believe Jan & I were stunned but in awe and secretly wished we had joined him! He was a wonderful, caring fun-loving guy for sure and will be missed by all that had the pleasure of knowing him! May he RIP and may you find comfort in knowing he has Entered the Kingdom of God & his “Eternal Home†💕💕
LOVE YOU
I met Bob and Jo a few years ago at our Tuesday morning Bible Study group. They both made such an impact on me. I loved teasing around with Bob. I will always have wonderful memories of Bob. I love you Jo and will continue to pray for your peace. Â
I worked with and for Bob for a number of years. You did not have to be around him very long to know how much he treasured his family. He was so very proud of Tonya and Jason and then the grandchildren. His face truly lit up when he talked about his family. I am so sorry for your loss but I know Bob is with his beloved Katie-dog and no longer in pain. You are all in my prayers.