Robert Frederick Balk

Robert "Bob" Frederick Balk, age 83, of Huntsville, was born on January 16, 1933 in Detroit, MI and passed away on February 14, 2016 at Brookwood Medical Center in Birmingham, AL surrounded by his family. A private family service is being handled by Southern Heritage Funeral Home in Birmingham, AL.

On February 14, 2016 God called home an amazing husband, father, grandpa and brother who was dearly loved by his family. He served his country from 1952 to 1956 in the U.S. Air Force. Bob spent the majority of his career in Huntsville working in the aerospace industry as an engineer, retiring with IBM and then with McDonald Douglas and the Boeing Company.

He is preceded in death by his son, Kevin Michael; his parents, Clara and Martin Balk; brothers, Lawrence and James; and sister, Mary Ellen White.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Eleanor Hartmann Balk and their 9 children; son Andy of Atlanta, GA, son Tom (Janet) of Cambria, CA, daughter Kathy Bradley (Paul) of Winchester, KY, daughter Susan Coody (Bruce) of Chelsea, AL, daughter Denise Darnell (Greg) of Pelham, AL, son Steve (Vicki) of Raleigh, NC, daughter Karen Stuckey (Derrick) of Huntsville, AL, daughter Laura Guin (John) of Echola, AL, and daughter Dr. Sandy Martin (Bo) of Birmingham, AL. He is also survived by his 24 grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren, and his brother Melvin of Harbor Beach, MI.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to your local cancer center in memory of Bob Balk, or to a charity of your choice.