Robert C. Juenke

Robert C. Juenke died October 27, 2023 of pulmonary fibrosis.  He was 88 years old.  Bob was born February 28, 1935 to the late Cletus and Elaine (nee Wenzel) Juenke.  He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Jacqueline (nee Kent) in November 2018, and, in June 2006, by his brother, Edward, his sister in law, Mary, and his nephew, Kevin Juenke.

            Bob grew up in Silverton and attended St. John’s grade school in Deer Park.  Upon graduating from St. Xavier High School in 1953, Bob attended Xavier University, where in 1957 he graduated summa cum laude with a degree in history.  He worked summers at The Procter and Gamble Company and King Records.  After graduating from Xavier, Bob attended the University of Notre Dame Law School.  Deciding the law was not for him, he became a teacher instead.  He returned to Xavier and earned a Master of Arts degree there in 1961.  

In fall 1961, Bob began teaching at The Summit Country Day Boys School.  Known affectionately by his students as “Mr. J,” he spent his entire 36-year teaching career at Summit, teaching in both the Middle and Upper Schools.  A mild but effective disciplinarian, he never raised his voice, instead giving students “the look” to keep them on track.  More than once he loaned money to students who were in a jam.  Bob loved teaching young people and coaching them in sports, especially basketball and golf.  In 1989, he was inducted into the Summit Hall of Fame for his contributions to the school.  In 2001, he was inducted into the Ohio High School Golf Coaches Hall of Fame.  

            Bob and his wife, Jackie, were active in the Sharonville community, serving for many years on the board of the Waterford Homeowners Association.  There they built their home in 1987 in the then-new subdivision.  Both Bob and Jackie served as Eucharistic Ministers at St. Michael Catholic Church in Sharonville.

            Bob is survived by his nephew, Tim (Barb) Juenke, his sister in law Suzanne (Jim) Macke, his nephew Chris (Kathryn) Macke, and his niece Betsy (Colin) Yeakle.

            After Jackie’s death and during the deterioration of Bob’s health in recent years, Bob’s wonderful Waterford neighbors, especially his “guardian angel” Bill Ward, and other friends assured he was well taken care of, and for this Bob was eternally grateful.

            Bob was a charming, kind, elegant, peaceful man who was universally liked.  During his final illness, he received a steady stream of visits from neighbors and former students.

Mass of Christian Burial will be on Saturday, November 4th at 10:00 a.m. at the Summit Country Day School chapel, with interment immediately afterward at Gate of Heaven Cemetery.  No visitation.  Instead of flowers, memorial gifts are suggested to: Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, 701 East Columbia Avenue, Reading, OH 45215; The American Lung Association, 55 West Wacker Drive, Suite 1150, Chicago, IL 60601; or St. Michael Catholic Church, 11144 Spinner Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45241.