Robert Prewett

Robert Dale Prewett, 92, passed away on Wednesday, October 30, 2024, at his home in Florissant, Missouri. He was born on October 11, 1932, in Eminence, Missouri, the son of George Harrison Prewett and Amelia Pearl (Hartman) Prewett. He married Frances E. Whisonant on November 23, 1957, and then lived in St. Louis. In 1961, they moved to Brighton, Illinois, where they raised their two children, Amy and Steve.

Robert, also called R.D., Bob, or Pop, grew up in Eminence, Missouri, where as a young man he worked as an on-call forest fire fighter, helped with reforestation, and worked to clear timber for the Conservation Department. After he graduated high school, he joined the United States Air Force, where he served from 1952-56 on a KC-97 as a Load Master/Boom Operator tasked with refueling planes mid-flight. He traveled around the world via his role in the USAF, and was stationed at Goose Bay, Canada and Lake Charles, Louisiana. His time spent in Louisiana led him to meet his future wife, Frances, through Frances’s uncle, who served on the same aircrew as Robert. After Robert and Frances were married, they moved to Brighton, IL where they settled down to start a family. Robert then began working at McDonnell-Douglas as an electrician from 1957 to 1993, where he ultimately retired as an electrical inspector.

After he and Frances retired, they enjoyed traveling the United States with a mission to road trip across the country, coast-to-coast. They loved to spend time at their cabin on the Current River and enjoyed being with family as much as possible. Robert loved being outdoors from a young age and enjoyed many activities throughout his life – gardening, fishing, hunting, walking daily in his neighborhood, playing horseshoes, nature watching, playing guitar, and exercising, all of which he continued to do into his 90s. When he had to be indoors, which was always a second option for him, he loved to read about local and family history, read poetry, and even take the opportunity to humble family members or friends who thought they could beat him at a game of pool. Robert maintained a strong sense of humor and a can-do, hard-working attitude throughout the course of his life, while always being a gentle, kind, and encouraging husband, father, grandfather, great-grand father, sibling, uncle, neighbor, and friend. Robert loved his family dearly and will be greatly missed.

Robert is survived by his son, Steve (Cathy) Prewett of Fosterburg, IL; his grand- and great-grandchildren, Kathryn (Brian) Hunter and their children Colby and Lillian; Jeff (Kelci) Prewett and their children Rylee, Emerson, Josie, and Hannah; Sarah (Scott) Jensen and their children Madison, Levi and Jameson; Erin (David) Massey and their children Maebry and Rosie; and his sister-in-law, Marie (Bill) Barber of Hixson, TN.

He was preceded in death by his wife, daughter Amy Walling, his mother and father, and his siblings, Carl, Melvin, Leroy, Pauline, Ernest, and Burnell.

Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until the funeral service starts at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, November 7, 2024, at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Godfrey, Illinois.  Burial will follow at Brighton City Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Westminster Presbyterian Church. Additional information and online guestbook may be found at www.gentfuneralhome.com

Obit Provided By:
Gent Funeral Home