Obituary

Robert George Svoboda of Newport, WA, passed into Glory on February 22, 2022, at the age of 81. As a precise mathematical man, he would have been happy to know that he left this earth on Twos-Day (2-22-22), which is both a palindrome and an ambigram day.

Robert was born in New York City to Robert Svoboda Sr. and Ellen Blaha on July 13, 1940. He attended the prestigious Brooklyn Technical High School, and then he went on to graduate from Valparaiso University with a degree in Electrical Engineering. At Valpo, he met the love of his life, Nancy Berreitter, who he married on September 9, 1962, in Chicago, Illinois. They were married for fifty-nine years before his passing. Their first life adventure involved two years spent teaching in Nigeria as part of the newly formed Peace Corps. Returning to the United States, Robert attended the University of Kansas, where he received his Master’s Degree in Electrical Engineering.

Robert, who most people called Bob, worked as a Systems Engineer at TRW in their Space & Defense Division, for thirty-one years, working in Southern California and Australia. He served as a Cub Scout leader, a jail chaplain, a Bible study leader, a church elder, and a Habitat for Humanity volunteer. Bob and Nancy moved to Newport, WA, when they purchased Bear Paw Camp in 1991, managing it until they retired in 2012.

Robert is preceded in death by his parents and his grandson, Oliver Angel Even. He is survived by his wife, Nancy; his children, daughter Vickie and her husband Curtis along with their two sons, Michael and Timothy; son Jeffrey and his wife, Candy, along with his two sons, Evan and Lucas; daughter Cheryl and her husband Greg along with their three children, Adrian, Elliot, and Brianna; and son, Joel; and his brother Gerald.

The family has requested that remembrances be made in the form of contributions to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105). Robert faithfully supported the work of St. Jude, where children with life threatening diseases are treated and “no family ever receives a bill for treatment, travel, housing or food because all a family should worry about is helping their child live.”

A Memorial service will be held at 10:00 AM on Friday, April 8, 2022, at Laclede Community Church (25 N. Riley Creek Road, Laclede, ID) with a light luncheon to follow.