Robert Lee Hengst Jr.

Robert Lee "Bobby" Hengst Jr. of Port Lavaca, Texas, passed away peacefully on December 27, 2025, at the age of 76, after a prolonged illness.
He was born on January 10, 1949, to Robert E. Lee "Bob" Sr. and Bonnie Belle Wolchik Hengst and was a life-long resident of Port Lavaca.
A mechanic by trade, Bobby enjoyed working with his hands, and was the owner of Hengst Auto Repair and Machine Shop since 1972. In his youth, Bobby attained Eagle Scout status and was part of the scouting group that went to Suriname. He also served a short stint in the U.S. Coast Guard before being medically discharged. Bobby was an avid reader and loved gardening and canning.
He is survived by his daughter, Rebecca Atherton and husband Rodney of Victoria, TX; three grandchildren: Matthan, Kelsey, and Christian Atherton, and a great-grandson, Luca Atherton, all of Victoria.
He is also survived by a brother, Gary Hengst, and sisters, Darlene Marshall (Lamar "Butch" Marshall Jr. - deceased) and Lynette Zeller (husband, Ty) in addition to numerous nieces and nephews.
A graveside service and burial was held at 2:00 p.m., Monday, December 29, 2025, at Six-Mile Cemetery in Port Lavaca.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held on January 9, 2026 at the Calhoun County Senior Citizen Center, 11:30 am - 12:30 pm; as Bobby was a regular lunchtime attendee at the center. We thought it fitting to celebrate his January 10th birthday, and his life during the lunch hour there, with his friends and family, and anyone else who would like to attend.
The family wishes to acknowledge, with deep gratitude, the nursing staff of Riverside Oaks Nursing and Rehab in Victoria, for their excellent care and loving kindness given to Bobby in his last days.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in his memory to Hospice of South Texas.