- Date Of Birth: January 28, 1936
- Date Of Death: August 15, 2018
- State: Illinois
Robert “Bob” Bellina, 82, of O’Fallon, Illinois, born on January 28, 1936 passed into heaven on Wednesday, August 15, 2018 at his home. Even in his absence, we believe his mission continues in his pursuit of catching the biggest bass, eating outrageous quantities of barbeque and ice cream, dominating in ping pong, and mastering the perfect underhand free throw and golf swing, along with driving his beloved wife “Hen” crazy. Bob grew up in Royalton, Illinois and was the son of Americo and Lena Bellina, nee Rancilio. He created many memories for those who lived and loved him there with his mischievous and fun-loving zest for life.
He received a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from SIU Carbondale and followed with a Master’s Degree from SIU Edwardsville. His passion was teaching, mentoring, and helping others. He spent his entire career with the goal of creating a best of the best educational system for the students of O’Fallon Township High School, that goal was certainly achieved not just in the State of Illinois but Nationally. Bob and his wife, Henrietta, moved to O’Fallon in 1958 for Bob’s first job as a teacher at OTHS. He taught sociology, drivers ed, and physical education along with coaching baseball, basketball, golf and track for 7 years. He was provided the opportunity to lead OTHS as the Principal in 1967 and retired in 1994 after 34 years of service. He decided when he was in 7th grade in Royalton that he wanted to teach and coach and always felt grateful he had those opportunities. He always believed in hard work and taking your job seriously, but not yourself.
People knew him as a fair and compassionate man, who put others, especially the less fortunate, above himself. He always said the key to his success was the talented teachers, coaches, and students at the school. He made sure to always give them the credit for the school’s excellence in education and always thanking them for their contributions to the school. People would say he rarely, if ever, missed a high school event always there as a show of support for the band, theatre, boys and girls’ sports, and the numerous other events that happened daily at the high school. That was Bob Bellina.
There are so many great stories of his friendships and years spent at that school, let’s just say he loved every minute of it and everyone took a little bit of him with them when they graduated. He was very active in the community and was recognized often for his hard work and dedication to the city and OTHS. Some of his honors include: 1979 -Jaycees Community Service Award, 1980- State Board of Education “Those Who Excel” Award, 1984- State of Illinois Principals Academy, 1989- Chamber of Commerce Distinguished Community Leader Award, 1991-He was Named Illinois Top Principal of the State, and in 1992- State Board of Education Distinguished Educator Award. During his tenure, OTHS was recognized nationally multiple times for being a top tier public high school.
He founded the “Needy Family Fund” for less fortunate families of the high school and community and chaired the United Way Campaign in O’Fallon for over 10 years. In his retirement, the award he was most proud of was the “Greatest Grandpa of All Time” given to him by his 7 grandkids. He never missed an activity, sports event, recital or anything else they did. He loved them unconditionally and far more than life itself. He loved to travel with his wife and continued in his support OTHS.
He fished practically every lake in the greater St. Clair County region, golfed as much as he could, meticulously tended to his yard, and slowed peoples’ workout down to a crawl at the YMCA with a long story or two, and he lived life like we all wish we could. He was a man of integrity and strength, but his commitment to caring for others was his greatest attribute. He will be missed and remembered by all those lives he touched. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Robert is survived by his loving wife, Henrietta Bellina, nee Sohn; two children, Hank (Marla) Bellina, nee Schroeder of O’Fallon, IL, Lynn Bohnenstiehl of O’Fallon, IL; one sister, Carolyn (Dan) Falcomata of Edwardsville, IL; seven grandchildren, Kara (Lou Groff) Bellina, Michael Bellina, Alex Bellina, Lizzy Bellina, Robby (Kelly) Bohnenstiehl, Sam Bohnenstiel, and Bailey Bohnenstiehl.
