Robert C. Erhart

Robert C. Erhart passed away at home after a long illness on Friday, June 20, 2014. Born in Louisville, Kentucky, on March 3, 1930, he was the third of eight children born to Georgia and Herbert Erhart. Bob was preceded in death by his parents, cousin Herb Feige, and wife, Joan Schuler Erhart.

Bob was in the U.S. Navy from 1950-1954. While serving his country, he married Joan on October 20, 1953, in Louisville. Bob and Joan first met in grammar school, where they made many lifelong friends. After graduating in 1963 from the University of Louisville with a Bachelor of Science degree in physics, Bob moved his family to Fort Walton Beach, Florida. He took an electrical engineer position at Eglin A.F.B., where he rose to the rank of GS 14. Bob and Joan spent the years between 1963 and 2005 in Florida where they raised five children and were active in St. Mary’s Catholic Church and school, St. Peter’s Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus, and the Krewe of Columbus. Bob especially enjoyed sailing and living on the water at their home in Mary Esther, Florida.

Bob’s pride and joy were his grandchildren, great-grandchildren and generations of nieces and nephews. He attended every game, concert and recital with the love and pride only a grandparent and uncle could understand. Bob had an open heart and was devoted to his neighbors and friends. He often joked that the house should have been named “The Erhart Hostel.” It was Bob and Joan’s pleasure to host many young adults in their home. In the fall of 2005, Joan and Bob moved to Austin, Texas, to be closer to several of their children and grandchildren.

Bob is survived by his brothers and sisters and their spouses, Herbert “Sonny” and Lucie Erhart, Mary Ann Duff, Jim and Ida Erhart, Frances and Jim Sudol, John and Peggy Erhart, Barbara and Tom Butler, and Debra and Tom Ewing; his children, their spouses and children, Marty and Kim Erhart (Amanda Erhart, Marissa Erhart, and Jenna Williams), Carol and Jeff Hammen (Katie and Kelly Hammen), Beth Erhart and Jenni Small, Joe and Beverly Erhart (Jared Papesh, Erin Cotroneo), and Colleen Kelly Ramirez and Enrique Ramirez (Cris Gonzalez, and Bobbi, Kyle and Kelly Fitzgerald); his great-grandchildren (Leah Bryant, Alyssa and Nicholas Papesh, Amara and Raven Cotroneo, and T.J. and Emi Williams); nieces and nephews; great-nieces and nephews; great-great-nieces and nephews; and numerous lifelong friends from Fort Walton Beach.

Special thanks to Bob’s devoted caregiver Liliana Reyes, the wonderful doctors, nurses and staff of Austin Diagnostic Clinic, and Hospice Austin.

Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 2:00 p.m., Monday, June 30, 2014 at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church, 4800 Convict Hill Road. Inurnment will follow at Cook-Walden/Forest Oaks Memorial Park at 6300 West William Cannon, Austin, TX 78749.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Bob’s name to one of the following charities: the American Parkinson Disease Association (http://www.apdaparkinson.org/), St. Peter’s Catholic Church (100 Francis St., Mary Esther, FL 32569), or to a charity of your choice.