Robert L. Wacht, Jr.

Robert (Bob) L. Wacht was born in Dexter, Iowa on February 2, 1950, to Robert and Leota (Ulrich) Wacht.

He graduated from Urbandale High School in 1968 and from United Electronics Institute in 1970.

Bob married Jeanie O'Donnell in 1969.  He joined the United States Army Reserves in 1970 and retired in 1994 as a Chief Warrant Officer CW3 after 24 years of service.

Bob began his long career at the U.S. Postal Service Bulk Mail Center in 1974 and retired in 2010.  He was an active member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Des Moines.

Bob enjoyed family vacations to Minnesota, daily walks, fishing, golf and model trains.  He especially enjoyed spending time with his granddaughters and attending all their sporting and school events.  They brought him so much joy and he taught them different card games with big bowls of popcorn.  He was especially close to his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Sue and Jim O'Donnell, who he respected and loved and enjoyed spending time and helping them whenever needed.

Bob is survived by his wife Jeanie; daughter, Lori (Mike) Willcox; granddaughters, Julia and Madi Willcox; siblings, Bill (Connie) Wacht, Janet Wacht and several nieces and nephews.  He is also survived by his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Tom (Lois) O'Donnell, Bill (Mary) O'Donnell and Deborah (Leonard) Wallace, to whom he was very close and enjoyed many holiday get-togethers and card parties.

He is preceded in death by his daughter, Julie Ann Wacht; parents, Robert and Leota Wacht; brother, Ted Wacht and his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Mark and Cathy O'Donnell.

The family would like to give a special thank you to his UnityPoint Hospice team as well as the staff at Edgewater Skilled Care, who got him back to walking so he could return home.

Private graveside services will be held at Glendale Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please direct memorial contributions to the Iowa Homeless Youth Center.

Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home & Crematory, Urbandale, is in care of the arrangements.