Robert Stverak

Robert (Bad Bob) Stverak, of Salem, Va. and Sarasota, Fla., died peacefully on Wednesday, October 28, 2009. Bob is survived by his three children, Sylvia Stverak-Pruden and husband, David Pruden, of Laurel, Md., Lisa Peters, and Richard Stverak and wife, Michelle, of Salem, Va. He has three grandchildren, Lauren Peters, Robert Pruden, and Regina Pruden. He is also survived by his loving companion, Linda Moody, of Roanoke, Va.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Betty and Louis J. Stverak; his stepmother, Gertrude Stverak; and his wife, Roma Stverak.
Bob was born in 1931 in Chicago, Ill. He attended Saint Clair (Michigan) High school and graduated from Miami University (Oxford, Ohio) with a degree in business administration. After a rewarding career in sales and sales management, Bob and Roma founded South Star Corporation in 1978. For over 30 years, South Star has flourished as a successful manufacturing company specializing in wiring harnesses and control cabinets. South Star was established in Salem and is now located in Montgomery County. It is managed by Lisa Peters, President.
Bob was an avid golfer since his youth and was a member of Roanoke Country Club and Stoneybrook Golf Association in Sarasota where he won various singles and couples tournaments. He continues to host a special tournament in the Lithuanian community in honor of Roma. He also enjoyed serving as an election officiator in his Salem precinct. Before his illness, Bob was fortunate to fulfill his lifelong dream and visit two places, the Mountains of Tibet and The Great Wall of China.
Fortis, meaning "strong" in Latin, was one of Bob's favorite words. He was strong, yet a gentle and compassionate man. It also describes how he lived his life.
The family will receive friends on Sunday, November 1, 2009, from 2 to 4 p.m. at the John M. Oakey & Son Funeral Home in Salem. A Funeral Mass will be held 11 a.m. on Monday, November 2, 2009, at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Salem with Father Kevin Segerblom officiating. Entombment will follow at St. Andrews Diocesan Cemetery.
Memorial donations in honor of Bob Stverak may be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 554, Roanoke, Va. 24003. Online condolences to the family may be made at johnmoakey.com. The Stverak family is being served by John M. Oakey & Son Funeral Home in Salem, Va., 540-389-5441.