Robert Beattie Obituary
Robert Owen Beattie, Sr. was born on September 12, 1936, in St. Louis, Missouri, to Ellis and Sally Beattie. He was the third of their six children. Ellis adopted David, Sally’s firstborn, and together they had Annette, Robert, Susan, Larry and Christine. Ellis brought humor and intelligence, and Sally brought boundless love and even more intelligence. Robert grew up in the country and the city, splitting his time between city life with his parents and helping his Uncle Emmet on his farm near Leslie, Missouri. He learned the value of hard work, lifelong learning, and how a good joke can lighten any load.
Bob, as most people knew him, dropped out of high school at 17 and joined the marines during the Korean War. Just as he was finishing up boot camp, the US finished up in Korea. He remained in the Marines for a single tour working as a mechanic. He also obtained a GED.
Upon his discharge from the Marines, he took advantage of the GI bill and enrolled in the engineering school at Mizzou. Engineering did not interest him as much as The Shack, and he was back in St. Louis by Christmas.
He worked as an elevator operator at a downtown department store, where he met Joan Richardson. They married not long after. Together, they brought four children into the world.
Their marriage did not work out, but the children they had brought Bob so much joy. He often lovingly referred to his children as “mobsters.”
JoAnn was born the same day Bob entered the St. Louis police academy. He had to leave his first class, carrying all his course materials on a city bus to the hospital. He arrived just in time to witness the nurses bathing his little girl. To the end of his life he would wax poetic about how beautiful she was.
Bob succeeded at the academy and went on to be a decorated police officer in the St. Louis City Police Department. One of his favorite stories to tell was how he helped guide a blind man out of a burning building. He was the first member of his Academy class to achieve the rank of sergeant.
Twenty months after the birth of his daughter, he welcomed his only son, Robert Beattie, Jr. Bob helped coach Robby’s little league team. They camped and fished together. And, everyone always remarked on the resemblance. He was a chip off the old block, and the old block could not have been prouder.
Three years later, Nancee was born. She shared her father’s blond hair-brown eyed combination. His sister Christine was also a brown-eyed blonde, and Bob always stated that they were the best looking.
Bob enrolled at St. Louis Community College at Florissant Valley and studied law enforcement.
He juggled fatherhood, a full time job as a cop, and substitute teaching while taking classes. He graduated with an Associate’s Degree in 1970.
Last, but certainly not least, Amy made her appearance in 1969. She was the baby of the family, and everyone adored her. Bob loved children, and joined everyone in doting on her. He was holding little Amy in his arms in his college graduation photos.
Bob loved to sing, and would break into song with little provocation. He belted out Old Man River on float trips, and he wasn’t half bad. He sang funny songs to his children. No matter how young a prune may be, he’s always full of wrinkles.
HIs children will tell you, he was the best bedtime story reader ever. He did all the voices; high and squeaky all the way to deep, deep bass. Sam and Joe finally got together, and they never, ever teased a weasel. His bear hugs were just tight enough, and they came with a growl. He never seemed to hear the peeping and the giggles even after telling them “Not another peep out of you!”
Bob made the leap from being a uniformed police officer to being an agent for The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms in 1971. He often worked undercover, infiltrating criminal organizations to gather evidence. He would grow his hair out, and sport a mustache, beard, or some quintessentially 1970s sideburns, and go to work in jeans. When he had gathered all the evidence he needed, he’d get a haircut, shave, put on a suit, and see those bad guys in court!
He retired from ATF in 1992 after 34 years as a law enforcement officer.
Bob met Mary Kniepkamp in 1979. He fell madly in love with her. She gave him love and happiness the likes of which he had never known. They married in January of 1981 and remained happily married for the rest of his life. He never shied away from holding her hand in public, or even giving her a little kiss. He relied on her, and she never let him down. She was there until the end, and he loved her more each day.
Bob was charming, gregarious, extremely intelligent, and sharply witty. He was a skilled storyteller. Whether the story was true or not, was up to the listener to decide. He was a fan of the tall tale, rambling yarn, and the shaggy dog. But he was also a man of truth, and could be counted on to get the facts straight when the situation called for it.
Bob was a spiritual man, and was a member of the Lutheran church. Together, he and Mary became active in the churches they attended in St. Louis, Alexandria, VA, and at the Lake of the Ozarks, where they lived after retirement. He faced the end of his life with the certainty that he would live forever in the loving arms of his Savior, Jesus Christ. He is there now.
Bob died on February 13, 2024 and was preceded in death by his father, Fleming Matthew Ellis Beattie, his mother, Zelma Irene (called Sally) Sheckler Beattie, his brother David Beattie, and his sister Annette Beattie.
He will be sorely missed by his wife, Mary (Kniepkamp) Beattie, his sister Susan Beattie, his brother Laurence Beattie, his sister Christine Keegan, his daughter, JoAnn (Ron) Patterson, his son Robert (Terri) Beattie, his daughter Nancee (Rod Hauser) Beattie, his daughter Amy (Benedict Hughes) Goodwine. He is also survived by a mob of loving grandchildren, Jonathan (Jasmine) Hann, Emily (John Hintzman) Neels, Erin Day, Amanda (William) Bryan, Owen (Hao Mai) Beattie-Hauser, Malcolm (Jennifer Butler) Beattie-Hauser, Calvin Goodwine, Reece (Sophia Brouwer) Beattie-Hauser, Maya (Philip James) Goodwine, Dawn (Jamie) Shew, Jaimie (Kevin) Talir, and David (Rachel) Patterson. All his great grandchildren will miss him, too; Arizona, Dominic, Corbin and Maci Hann. Tyler and Virginia Neels, Rowan Hammond and Averi Hintzman. Bert Bryan. Maggie Patterson. Joseph, Samantha and Kyle Boyle. His friends from law enforcement and around the lake will miss him, as will all his church community. To be fair, he was awesome, and anyone who knew him will feel his loss.
In lieu of flowers the family asks that, expressions of sympathy can be made to Christ the King Lutheran Church.
Friends will be received on Saturday, March 2, 2024 from 10:00 am to 11:00 am at Christ the King Lutheran Church in Lake Ozark, Missouri. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, March 2, 2024 at 11:00 am at Christ the King Lutheran Church in Lake Ozark, Missouri.
Full Military Honors will follow the service.
Arrangements are under the direction of Hedges-Scott-Millard Funeral Homes, 514 Highway 42, Osage Beach, MO 65065.
