Robert O'Brien

Robert “Bob” E. O’Brien, Sr., age 92, of Belleville, IL, passed away peacefully on June 10, 2026, at his home with his loving wife, Dianne, by his side and his little buddy, Griffin, on his bed.

Bob was born December 27, 1933, in St. Louis. He graduated from Ritenour High School. A natural leader, he was Vice President of the National Honor Society and President of the student body as well as Prom King his senior year and “most popular boy of his senior class”. He excelled in all sports, breaking the Missouri record for the 100-yard dash; and was Captain of the Ritenour football team.

Bob’s athletic skills provided him with a football scholarship to Millikin University in 1952, where he pledged to the Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity. Working three different jobs helped him pay his tuition.

Always the ultimate patriot, he interrupted his college days in 1953 when he joined the Army to help defend his country. He returned to Millikin in 1966 to finish earning his Bachelor of Arts in Business and History.

Bob’s leadership was again foremost in his military career. He was selected for Officer Training School and became one of the elite Special Forces serving in the 82nd Airborne Division and the 101st Airborne Division. He completed some 85+ jumps for missions which were instrumental in maintaining our freedom. His bravery was rewarded with medals including: the Distinguished Service Cross; the Presidential Medal of Freedom; Silver Star, Bronze Star, and a Purple Heart to name a few.

Following his military career, Bob excelled in his business career, which covered over 50 years where he was a formidable force in the car business. He first owned a Chevrolet dealership in Southern Illinois for seventeen years where he was elected a member of the Chevrolet National Dealer Council and General Motors Society of Sales Executives.

He returned to St. Louis in 1984, as the General Sales Manager of Boulevard Mercedes-Benz, St. Louis. He later assisted in transitioning the Sales Operations to TRI-Star Mercedes, where he served in both Sales Management and Sales. His expertise and experience were called upon in the building of the Progress Point Mercedes-Benz dealership, serving as Manager of Sales Operations. Because of his outstanding managerial talents, he was asked to be a consultant for the construction of Bentley St Louis, and then the Hiring/Training Manager.

Throughout his business career, Bob led by example in serving his community and providing support to local charities through business and charity boards. He also carved out a little time to become a member of the Free World Parachutists and obtained his own private pilot’s license. Free time found him building remote control airplanes; spending time with family and friends on his houseboat: The Shamrock I, on Kentucky Lake; collecting and building his phenomenal military museum, which served as a source of interest to individuals of all ages, including mentorship of young men interested in history. Always “the gentleman” and “patriot” he was admired, respected and loved by everyone who met him.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents: Michael Francis O’Brien and Velma C. (Glick) O’Brien; his first wife and mother of his children: June Corinne (nee Burton) O’Brien, his three sons: Micheal E. O’Brien; Robert E. O’Brien, Jr.; Bradley A. O’Brien; a grandson: Mitchell R. O’Brien; brothers-in-law: Dick Bridges and John Simmons; and a great-nephew: Benjamin Krausz.

He is survived by his dear and loving wife, Dianne Isbell (nee Krausz) O’Brien of 24 years; his stepson, Chad Gildig of Denver, CO; two grandchildren: Robert (Rob) T. O’Brien (Jenna) of Ft. Worth, TX, and Brittney McDonough (Dan) of Eagen, MN; four great-grandchildren: Peyton McDonough; Eloise, William and Madelyn O’Brien; his sister: Linda Bridges of St. Louis, MO; brother in-law: David (Joyce) Krausz of New Memphis, IL; sisters-in-law: Judi Simmons of Summerfield, FL; Charlotte (Harold) Starr, Granite City, IL; daughters-in-law: Becky O’Brien of Eldorado, IL; Betsey Carver-O’Brien of Harrisburg, IL; Frith O’Brien of Santa Rosa Beach, FL, and Lori C. O’Brien of Horseshoe Bay, TX, as well as many beloved nieces and nephews, great and great-great nieces and nephews, colleagues and friends.

Memorials may be made in Bob’s name to The Special Ops Warrior Foundation; https://specialops.org/give/. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.schildknechtfh.com.

Per his wishes, Bob was cremated; therefore, there will be a memorial visitation on Friday, July 10, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., at Schildknecht Funeral Home; 301 S. Lincoln Ave., O’Fallon, IL 62269. The memorial service will begin at 11:30 a.m. at the same location with Dr. Pastor Donald C. Wagner officiating. Burial with full military honors will take place at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery; 2900 Sheridan Rd., St. Louis, MO 63125, at 1:30 p.m.

Immediately following, everyone is invited to A Celebration of Bob’s Life with refreshments and storytelling from 2:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. at The Mansion at the August; 1680 Mansion Way, O’Fallon, IL 62269.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Schildknecht Funeral Home.

Obit Provided By:
Schildknecht Funeral Home