Robert Zahnweh
Robert Roger Zahnweh, 90, passed away peacefully in his Kirkwood home on July 16, 2020. He was born Nov. 5, 1929, in St. Louis, the son of Arthur and Violet Zahnweh. He graduated from Cleveland High School in 1948, and from Central Methodist College in 1952. He continued his education later in life and received a MA degree from Webster University in 1972.
He began his career as a lab technician at National Lead in South St. Louis, later becoming a science teacher at East Ladue Junior High School, a lab chemist at Monsanto and eventually a coatings chemist at Brod-Dugan Paints. After retirement, he became a favorite substitute teacher and tutor for students in nearby school districts.
Affectionately known by his family and friends as “Mr. Z”, “Big Bob” and “Funny Grandpa”, he was an Eagle Scout, historian, philosopher and perpetual optimist. Always our go-to guy for answers to life’s questions, he enjoyed sharing knowledge and ideas through lively conversation. He had many interests but particularly loved classic jazz, British sports cars, vintage aircraft, New Yorker cartoons and the old Treecourt swim club. He was a beloved raconteur and one of the most instantly likeable people you could ever meet.
We will miss his humor, love and devotion to family. His memory and traditions will remain alive in our hearts and he will always hold the place of honor at the head of our table. Cheerio old friend.
Survivors include two daughters, Dova Jayne Kasden and Susan Carol (Dan) Faulhaber, and one son, Robert Jeffrey (Karen) Zahnweh. Six grandchildren, Sara Praechter Collazo, Geoffrey Kasden, Amanda (Michael) Burch, Matthew (Elizabeth) Zahnweh, Jonathan and Ellen Faulhaber and two great grandchildren, Lilly Collazo and Sebastian Zahnweh, all of St. Louis.
He was preceded in death by sister, Lila Smith, wife, Nancy Lyon Zahnweh, and our mother, Jean Teters Zahnweh.
At his request, his remains were donated to science so that he could continue to help others learn. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.
He touched so many people and proud to be one of them. Rest in peace my neighbor.
One of the finest men i have ever known… Love to Dody, Bob and Suzie..from Neil and Mary Packman
I have known Bob for a number of years now and he has become a very good friend. I will miss our dinners and lively conversations. I will always have fond memories of him.
I had just seen an episode of “Living St. Louis” on Channel 9 (PBS) on Monday, July 21, 2020, and because of the film footage about Charles Lindbergh and aviation in general I instinctively knew that Bob Zahnweh had something to do with it. Sure enough, as the credits rolled at the end, he was credited as the director.
I had been trying to find him online for decades, the son of Robert Zahnweh, so I decided to try again. It led me to this page.
I was stunned.
To go back a bit, in December of 1998 I had actually gotten my parents to watch an entire hour of Channel 9, but they agreed because it was for Bob’s masterpiece “Under St. Louis”. I wondered if our explorations as kids into sewers and waterways had provided any inspiration for that documentary. We were best friends in Kirkwood in the early to mid sixties.
Then I moved to North County to be close to my family.
It was either that or live in a treehouse. The problem was that they tore the treehouse down. It didn’t look very livable after that.
I remember Bob’s father, Robert Zahnweh, as very friendly, generous, encouraging and very full of life. He gave us rides in his cool MG sports car, but more than that, he seemed genuinely interested in what each of us were doing and more than willing to help if he could. He managed our Cub Scouts softball team and did a pretty good job.
I remember him as having more than just a passing interest in art. I thought he had a great appreciation of art.
Then again, I was just a kid, but that is what I remember.
I, too, have fond memories of him. And his whole family.
I met Bob at the Treecourt Swim Club and as aRetired Teacher we had many lively conversations,of course Bob was always correct!I have fond memories of our friendship.
My Zanweh was my favorite teacher ever. I still to this day use him as my favorite teacher on forms. I thought I would google him and arrived here. This man was a saint and one of the most likable people I ever knew. I was one of his students at East Ladue and I never felt so welcomed and it was the only class I looked forward to going too ever. He was like Socrates in his wisdom of life. RIP