Robert "Bob" Louis Stech

Robert Louis Stech, best known as “Bob”, of Palestine, Texas, passed away on Saturday, the 6th day of September 2025, with his devoted wife by his side.  He was 93 years of age when the Lord called him home to his eternal residence.  Mr. Stech was born in Houston, Texas on the 30th day of September 1931 to parents Alvin Edmond Stech and Juanita Mary Burke Stech.

At a young age Mr. Stech joined the United States Navy and served aboard the U.S. New Jersey.  After returning home from the military, he attended Masonry School to become a brickmason.  He worked many years as a masonry contractor in Waco, Texas and returned to Houston to continue his trade. He worked as a brickmason for over 30 years. In 1981 he moved to Palestine with his family and began teaching his trade at the Windham School System as a vocational teacher until his retirement in 1997.

Mr. Stech was a Christian and a faithful member of the Crockett Road Church of Christ, where he devoted much of his free time to helping with various tasks around the church.  He also enjoyed listening to country music and volunteering at the Dogwood Jamboree.  Mr. Stech had a passion for the Dallas Cowboys, hunting, fishing, and traveling.  On his adventures around the world, he would collect unique rocks that he would bring home as souvenirs.  Above all, he loved his wife and family and the time they were able to spend together.  He was dearly loved, will be missed forever, and never forgotten.  

He is preceded in death by his parents Alvin and Juanita Stech; daughter, Karryn Ballard; son, Alan E. Stech; sisters, Mary E. Brown and Elouise Paleramo; and his brothers, Alvin E. Stech, Jr., Vernon Stech, Richard Stech, and Raymond Stech.

Mr. Stech is survived by his wife of 63 years, Mary Stech; children, Stacey Meador (Michael) of Nacogdoches, Donna S. Meyer of Longview, Robert L. Stech, Jr. of Spring; stepchildren, Curtis C. Donaldson of China Springs, Billy Mark Donaldson (Debbie) of Waco, and Donnell Scott Donaldson of Waco.  He also leaves behind eleven grandchildren, several great-grandchildren with one on-the-way, several great-great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews, other family members and special friends, Pamela Combs, Tammy Collins, Belinda Adams, and Eva Walker.

Funeral services to celebrate Mr. Stech’s life are to be conducted at two o’clock in the afternoon on Sunday, the 14th day of September 2025 at Crockett Road Church of Christ with his good friend and minister, Dan Manuel, officiating the service.  Interment with Military Honors will follow in Land of Memory Cemetery.

Friends are invited to visit with the family one hour prior to the start of the service at Crockett Road Church of Christ.

Those honored to serve as pallbearers are Steve Camp, Jim Ricard, Ben Donaldson, Chad Donaldson, Chase Meador and Bobby Lopez. Honorary pallbearers include Dale Sparks, Dwight Franklin, Dan Manuel, Steve Holmes, Caleb Donaldson, Chris Donaldson, Mario Sedillo, Jr., and Cristian Lopez.   

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be directed toward “Give Me The Bible” television program, P.O. Box 288, Palestine, TX 75802 or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

The family extends their heartfelt appreciation to special caregivers Dr. Michael Gorby, Hospice Plus, and Legacy at Town Creek for their loving and compassionate care.

We kindly request that you take a moment to express your condolences and share any cherished memories you may have by selecting the "Share a Memory" icon below. Your words of comfort will undoubtedly bring solace to his bereaved family. 

Funeral services for Robert Louis “Bob” Stech are in care of Rhone Funeral Home, 3900 S. State Highway 19, Palestine, Texas.  

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