obituaries

Robert Fortado

Alton |

Robert Fortado, died at 7:40 p.m. on May 16 2014 at Christian Northeast Hospital, St. Louis, MO.

He was born April 22, 1933 in Jacksonville, IL. He was the son of the late Nellie (Hawk) Fortado and the late Joseph G. Fortado of Jacksonville.

Surviving are his wife Marjorie (Neuhaus) Fortado of Alton along with two sons and a daughter: Mark Fortado of Las Vegas, NV., Theodore Fortado, and Laura (Jon) Fortado both of Staunton. Two step-children: David Dreith of East Alton and Kimberly (Tom) Embry of Alton.  He is also survived by his sister Mary Lou Fishel of Eldorado, IL. and a brother Reverend Larry (Dora) Fortado of Milan, IL Surviving Grandchildren: Danielle (Matt) Furaro, Andrew and Alexandra Fortado and Dawn and Heather Embry; Great-Grandchildren are Summer and Michael Collman, Chloe and Bailey Rardin, Jacob Fortado and Sophia Furaro. He will be fondly remembered as devoted to his family and as a loving grandfather and great grandfather.

He was preceded in death by a daughter: Jennifer, brother in law: Shelley Fishel and his parent’s Joseph and Nellie Fortado.

Marjorie and Bob celebrated and treasured 21 years of marriage. They enjoyed traveling to Europe many times, cruising the Caribbean Sea and traveling in our own beautiful country. He sang songs to God praising him and thanking Him for all our blessings.

After earning degrees from Illinois College and the University of Illinois, he taught for three years at Triad High School and for 32 years at Lovejoy Library, SIUE, and retiring as an Associate Professor Emeritus.  He was a member of the Upper Alton Baptist Church, Especially enjoying the “Over-The-Hill” Gang and the senior group activities. He also was a member of the Missouri Botanical Gardens, Friends of Lovejoy Library, and the Alton Eagles.  Bob loved traveling, fishing with friends and working in the lawn, especially with his tomato plants. 

He was a Korean War Veteran serving at Kami Seya, Japan and on the carriers Kearsarge, Yorktown, Midway and Oriskany as a CT2 copying the Russians from 1953 -1957.  He was a lifetime member of VFW Post #1308 and a member of the Naval Cryptologic Veterans Association.

A more complete Biography can be found in the Who’s Who in America 1995-2000 edition.

Visitation will be Monday May 19, 2014 from 4 to 7 pm at Elias, Kallal and Schaaf funeral home in Alton. A celebration of his life will be at Upper Alton Baptist Church at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday May 20, 2014.

Burial at Rose Lawn Memory Gardens with VFW Post #1308 presenting the flag.

Memorials may be made to the Scholarship Fund or Building Fund of Upper Alton Baptist church or Lovejoy Library at SIUE.

Online condolences and guest book may be found at www.eliaskallalandschaaf.com


Obit Provided By:
Elias, Kallal & Schaaf Funeral Home

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