Robert W. Janek

Robert was adopted as an infant by William Janek (Farmer) and Eda Lisso Janek (School Teacher). His older brother by four years was James Neal Janek who was also adopted into the Janek Family.

Polio struck Robert when he was eleven years old, leaving the left side of his face paralyzed - a condition he struggled with for the rest of his 84 years. So deep and horrendous was this experience, he wrote a book about it in the hopes of helping others in their struggles. Published by Dorrance Publishing Co. in 2023, it was entitled POLIO: A PERSONAL SPIRITUAL JOURNEY - How a Physical Difference Impacts One's Life Trajectory in Challenging and Decisive Ways.

Robert was in the first graduating class when Wall School became a 12-year school in 1959.

He earned a Bachelor's Degree in Government and R.O.T.C. from Texas Technological College in Lubbock, TX, 1964. He enjoyed R.O.T.C. and was commissioned as a second lieutenant.

Entering the Army's Armor/Infantry branch in March of 1964 as Infantry Unit Commander, he studied in Fort Benning, GA, Fort Knox, Kentucky, and Vietnamese in CA. He served one year on the Advisory Team in Viet Nam, and exited the Army as a Captain in 1968.

He did one year of graduate work in International Relations, American University, Washington, D. C. 1969-70. He also sought and earned a private pilot's license.

Robert then worked for the Defense Intelligence Agency at the Pentagon for five years as an Intelligence Research Specialist. Fed up with the "higher ups" changing his reports, and discouraged by a romantic situation that didn't pan out, he left all this behind to enter seminary seeking answers and purpose for his life.

Entering Iliff School of Theology in Denver, Colorado in 1973, he met Jena Janek, also entering as a first year student. They would be married in 1975. Robert found his calling when he took a "Ministry to the Sick" course. He loved it! Between their second and third year of seminary, he and Jena took a year off to go to Houston, TX, to take Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) - he in M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, and she in Ben Taub General Hospital - learning the skills of a hospital chaplain.

Upon completion of CPE, they returned for their final year at Iliff. Upon graduation, they both received a Master of Divinity Degree and were ordained as ministers in the United Church of Christ denomination. Robert also received dual ordination in his home denomination in Texas, the Unity of the Brethren.

Robert and Jena had a team ministry in eastern Colorado for four years, in St. John United Church of Christ in Idalia. In conjunction with his parish work, he studied for and received a Master of Arts in Religion degree with emphasis in Philosophy and Pastoral Theology. A major event that thrilled them during these years was the adoption of a beautiful 10 1/2 month old boy, Daryl Jonathan Janek in 1979!

Moving to Wichita, KS, Robert took Advanced CPE at Wesley Medical Center and "just ate it up!" He had, indeed, found his purpose. He served in the VA Hospital until a move was made to Leavenworth, KS, where he initially was the hospital chaplain of Cushing Memorial Hospital. Then for the next 20 years, he was a staff chaplain at the Dwight D. Eisenhower Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

Upon retiring in 2005, Robert and Jena moved back to his old "stomping grounds" in San Angelo, TX. Their new home backed up to the state park, and Robert loved sitting on the back porch facing west and "watching life happen!" Sunsets were spectacular. He was never without a kitty or two or more in his lap or around his feet. And many visitors came over from the state park that were a joy to see (and feed) ... deer, gentle javelinas, wild turkeys, an armadillo, road runners, and birds of many kinds. He was also an avid reader and a man of deep reflective thoughts there on that porch.

While in this "perfect" home for him, he had a yearning to put together so many of his short experiences and observations that he had written about over the years. It resulted in another book published by Dorrance in 2024: A PENSIVE PEREGRINATION: Vignettes of a Spiritual Traveler.

Preceding Robert in death were his father, William Walter Janek; his mother, Eda Sarah Lisso Janek; his brother, James Neal Janek; and his cousin, Myrna Ray Urban.

Robert is survived by his wife, Jena Janek of San Angelo, TX; his son and his wife, Daryl and Mary Janek of Vermont; his nephew and son of Midland, TX, Kerry and William Janek; his niece and daughters of Cumming, GA, Kristie, Shelby, and Sarah Calamusa; Cousin Merle Hollweg of Ballinger, TX; Cousin Janice Burrus of San Angelo, TX; Cousin and wife Lloyd and Barbara Urban of Fairview, TX.

A reflective "Celebration of his Life" will be held in the Fellowship Hall of the Unity of the Brethren Church in Wall, Texas, at Noon on Wednesday, June 17, 2026 beginning with a meal for all by the Christian Sisters and Johnson's Funeral Home, led by Rev. Tommy Tallas. This will be followed by a graveside committal with military honors led by Rev. Bill Henderson at Johnson's Lawnhaven Memorial Gardens. A second "Celebration of his Life" will be held at 2:00 p.m. on June 19, 2026, in the Multipurpose Room for the residents and staff of Lyndale Senior Living Center. Others are welcome to attend. 6101 Grand Court Road, San Angelo, TX, 76901.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to Concho Valley PAWS by mail (3134 North US Highway 67, San Angelo, TX 76905) or online ( https://www.cvpaws.org/donate ).