Robert "Bob" E. Benben

Of Bridgeton, MO, faithful husband, guiding father, caring grandfather, proud great-grandfather, grateful brother passed peacefully surrounded by his loving family on Thursday March 12, 2026 at the age of 84.

Bob is survived by his beloved wife Nancy in their 62nd year of marriage.  Nancy was an amazingly supportive wife, allowing him to coach and be a significant influence to so many athletes and students in the Pattonville and Augustinian Academy communities.   He is also survived by his brother Rick (Meg).   His legacy as a coach, educator, and commitment to family and friends lives on with Bob and Nancy's 3 sons Bob, Todd (Chris), and Brian (Leslie), their 10 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren: Hanna (Alec) and their children Benjamin, Theo, Gus, and Grace; Kevin, John, Simon and Dominic; Alex and Owen; Lennon, Elizabeth, and Harrison.

Bob grew up on the South Side of Chicago with his loving parents Ed and Gert. Shooting hoops, playing stick ball, and speed skating on frozen playgrounds were common pastimes. In South Side fashion, he carried his brother Rick on his shoulders to the local candy store, and cheered for his Chicago team: the White Sox. In 1957, Ed and Gert moved the family to Bridgeton where Bob would plant his roots and build his legacy.  As Bob passed from this life on 3/12 or "312 Day" which represents the Chicago Area Code, he had one last return trip to his beloved South Side.

After moving to St. Louis, Bob continued his education and grew his love for sports at Mercy High School.  He was a 3-sport athlete playing basketball, baseball and football. Also at Mercy, he met his future bride, Nancy.  They began dating in the summer of 1959.  He attended University of Missouri quickly transferring to Washington University, where he played football, basketball and baseball and earned a B.S in Education in 1964. He later earned a Masters of Education from University of Missouri in 1969.

Bob accepted his first job at Augustinian Academy as an educator and coach.  Augustinian was formational to his career and created many bonds with students and faculty. In 1967, he accepted a position at Pattonville High School where he became an institution over his 32 years as a PE teacher, coach and later athletic director.

Bob's coaching career included the following highlights:

·         Took 2 Augustinian Academy teams in the same year (basketball and baseball) to the Final 4 in their respective tournaments in 1965/66

·         Earned Coach of the Year from the Augustinian Alumni Association in 1966

·         Led the Pirates baseball team to conference titles in 1978, 1985, and 1986

·         Won the MO Class 4A baseball championship in 1986 and 4th place finish in 1987

·         Named MO Class 4A Baseball Coach of the Year in 1986

·         Coached 11 players to professional baseball signings, including 2 major leaguers

·         Started free summer basketball camps for grades 3-8 in the Pattonville community

·         Coached basketball for 16 years from 1967-1983

·         Made the Elite 8 in the 1978 Basketball tournament

·         Coached college hoops as head coach at Lindenwood College from 1983-1985

·         Assisted at Meramec Community College from1985-1988

·         Finished his Pattonville Career as Assistant Principal of Activities and Athletic Director from 1988 to 1999

·         Elected to MO High School Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1992

·         President of the St. Louis Suburban Athletic Conference from 1994-1996

·         Earned Athletic Director of the Year in 1997

·         Elected to Greater St. Louis Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame in 2007

·         Won the Amateur Hall of Fame "Bob Broeg Award" in 2013

After retiring from a fulfilling career in 1999, Bob focused on family and community.  Nancy and Bob spent 25 years providing daycare babysitting services for their grandchildren.  Bob used this opportunity to start raising the next generation of athletes and fine human beings through baseball in the back yard, golf at Berry Hill, bike riding lessons and trips to the Bridgeton Community Parks.  He instilled his principles of love and fair play that have molded these grandchildren into outstanding, confident teens and young adults. He loved attending youth sporting events and cheering on his grandkids, nieces, and nephews. In recent years, Bob felt immense pride in the next generation as he enjoyed the blessing of 4 great-grandchildren.

To give back to the Bridgeton Community Bob loved, he served as a Councilman for a 3-year term.  After his official term ended, you could still count on finding Bob working out at the Bridgeton Community Center or golfing at Berry Hill, where he played with his group of croanies "The Bandits".   He always had a smile, a story, and a listening ear with friends and community members.

Bob delighted in organizing events to bring family and friends together.  These events included boating at Lake Sherwood where he first taught kids to ski, then later captained his pontoon boat he lovingly named "The Gertrude" in honor of his mother; hosting the "The Benben Scramble" for over 15 years; and the "Boys' Night Out" to local sporting events.

Come celebrate as we memorialize Bob's life and legend:

Celebration of Life, Friday March 20th from 4-7 pm

Ortmann-Stipanovich Funeral Home

12444 Olive Blvd.

Creve Coeur, MO 63141

Memorial Mass, Saturday March 21st at 10:00am

Holy Spirit Catholic Church

3130 Parkwood Lane

Maryland Heights, MO 63043

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Pattonville Athletic and Activities Foundation.  Pattonville School District Learning Center, 11097 St. Charles Rock Rd, St. Ann, MO 63074.  Or Augustinian Alumni Association PO Box 190292, St. Louis, MO 63119