Robert Willis "Bob" Friedline

Robert "Bob" Willis Friedline
Bethalto - With a heart full of love and a life well lived, Robert "Bob" Willis Friedline passed away March 1, 2025 after a brief battle with cancer, with family by his side. A lifelong resident of the Riverbend area for 83 years, he filled the world with warmth and laughter.
More than anything, Bob was a family man. His wife, Nancy (Middleton) Friedline, by his side for 54 years, was his greatest partner in adventure. As a dad to his three children and sons-in-law, Delin "Kem" (Michael) Reedy, Kenyon Friedline (Tammy Herzberg), and Cara (Nathan) Augspurger, he led by example, instilling in his family a strong work ethic and was always present with love, encouragement, and a good dose of humor. He was also a lifelong friend to his sister, Donna Friedline Martin. Nothing lit up his world more than his seven grandchildren: Zachary (Makenzie) Reedy, Cole Reedy, Riley Reedy, Nicholas Reedy, Evan Augspurger, Kate Augspurger, and Lucy Augspurger; and his great-granddaughter, Lenore "Norrie" Reedy. He was their biggest fan, their storyteller, their fishing buddy, and their cheerleader, always making time to make them feel special. Bob's greatest joy was watching his kids and grandkids grow.
A proud veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves, Bob spent a chapter of his life in California, where he embraced the ocean as a surfer and even rubbed elbows with movie stars. A graduate of SIUE, Bob served as a special education teacher, principal, and director of special education in Bethalto Schools; he ended his career as a teacher in St. Louis Public Schools. His impact was far-reaching as an educator and varsity tennis coach, making students and colleagues alike feel valued, seen, and capable of greatness. His legacy in the classroom and beyond is immeasurable.
Outside of work and family, Bob found joy in the simple pleasures, casting a line in the water, swinging a golf club, and spending time with his incredible friends, who were as dear to him as family. While he and Nancy traveled the world, his favorite destination was always wherever his grandkids were.
Quick to laugh and even quicker to lend a hand, he was the rock of his family, a source of steady strength and love. Though we grieve his passing, we rejoice in knowing he is in the presence of his Lord and Savior. He will be missed beyond words but leaves behind a lifetime of memories.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Kenyon and Elizabeth "Marguerite" (French) Friedline, and his brother, Richard Friedline.
Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until the celebration of Bob's life at 11 a.m., on Saturday, March 8, 2025, at Gent Funeral Home in Alton. He will be laid to rest at Valhalla Memorial Park in Godfrey.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alton Memorial Hospital Foundation, www.altonmemorialhealthservicesfoundation.org a place where he received care in a community he loved. Online guestbook and information may be found at www.gentfuneralhome.com