OBITUARY | Emil Robert “Bob” Havel

Bob Havel, 90, of Longboat Key and formerly of South Bend, Ind., and Lake Geneva, Wis., died May 22.

Born Aug. 22,1924, in Lemay, Mo., he was the fourth of five sons. 

After serving in World War II, Mr. Havel returned to St. Louis, where he met and married Virginia Marie Jasinski in 1947. The couple moved to South Bend, where Mr. Havel founded Havel Bros. Inc. with his older brother, Bill, in 1950. The business expanded when they were joined by their youngest brother, Dick. 

The Havels raised two children and then retired to Longboat Key in 1979.

Mr. Havel’s wife, Ginny, died in 1980. In 1987, he married Ann Bilthouse. They wintered on Longboat Key and spent summers in Lake Geneva, Wis.

Mr. Havel is survived by his wife, Ann; daughter, Cathy Bishop, of Longboat Key; son, Bob Havel, of Indianapolis; four grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

Services were held June 1, at Sarasota National Cemetery with military honors.