After a brave battle with cancer, Robert James Besetsny, 69, passed away peacefully on Friday morning, March 5, 2021,
Robert was the son of Clarence and Evelyn Valicek Besetsny. He was born in Hallettsville on Nov. 18, 1951. He was the eldest of his siblings, having four sisters, Susan, Patsy, Annette and Lynn, and one brother, David. He graduated from Schulenburg High School and then attended Texas A&M University, graduating in 1974 with a bachelor’s in animal science. He then returned to Schulenburg to work for Roy Bucek
He married Pam Havrda on Oct. 18, 1975 in Houston. They started their life together in Schulenburg where they raised their two children, Curt and Nerissa. Robert was filled with so much love for his kids; he took an active role by serving as president of the Schulenburg school board, Shorthorn Booster Club along with being director and president of the Schulenburg Festival. Robert and Pam purchased Oakridge Smokehouse Restaurant in 1994 which he continued to run until his death and which his wife is still running today. “Restaurant Robert” also had a side gig which was co-chairman of the St. John’s Fourth of July Picnic. He loved the community of St. John and was honored to give back to the parish in which he was raised in as a child and work with the friends that he cherished.
He was especially proud of his grandchildren. Their “Bobby” enjoyed their visits to the farm, giving them tractor rides and making sure there were enough hay bales so they could climb and run along them. He was always excited to attend their sporting events, theater, dance and school functions.
He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Pam Besetsny; one son, Curt Besetsny and wife Neely of Houston; one son-in-law, Chris Cahal of Schulenburg; seven grandchildren, Madeline, Claire and Emerson Besetsny, and Colson, Parker, Brody and Isabelle Cahal; parents, Clarence and Evelyn Besetsny; sisters, Patsy Canion, Annette Walker, and Lynn Heller and husband David; brother David Besetsny; mother-in-law, Margaret Havrda; in-laws Tim and Dellyn Havrda, Cindy and Dave Deis, Laura and Jackie Machac and Danny Bujnoch; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Robert was preceded in death by his daughter Nerissa Cahal, his sister Susan Joost and family, father-in-law Vernon Havrda, and sister-in-law Debbie Bujnoch.
Visitation was held on Monday,-March 8, 2021 at the Schwenke Baumgarten Funeral Home in Schulenburg. Parish rosary was led by Rev.Msgr. John C. Peters.
Funeral services were held at St. John the Baptist Church at 10 am on Tuesday, March 9, 2021 and officiated by Rev. Msgr. John Peters, Rev. Tim Kosler and Rev. Dalton Ervin. Interment followed at the St. John the Baptist Cemetery. Reading and responsorial psalms during Mass were read by granddaughter Madeline Besetsny, godchild Kasi Hebert and niece Lindsey Schiffli. A reflection of Robert’s Life was presented by daughter-in-law Neely Besetsny, godson/nephew Jordan Machac, and friends Bobby Mendel and Cheryl Brossmann. The music for the beautiful service was provided by Matt Bonner, Joe Dybala, Allison Machac, Jackie Machac, Alvin Minarcik and Lindsey Schiffli.
Serving as pallbearers were nephews Kalan Besetsny, Cole Heller, Chris Walker, Jordan Machac, Ryan Havrda and Wesley Thompson. Honorary pallbearers were Scotty Brossmann, Marcus Bujnoch, James Granger, Ewald Friedrich, Gary McBride, Bobby Mendel and Gene Pavlicek.
Memorials can be made to the St. John Picnic Fund, St. John Building Fund or a charity of one’s choice.