Robert Besalski

Our ever-faithful Bob – Dad, Poppa, Pastor B – passed peacefully into the arms of his Lord and Savior Tuesday morning after a long and valiant battle with cancer. Rev. Robert Conrad Herman Besalski (Bob) was born in Jackson, Mississippi, the son of Rev. Albert Herman Daniel Besalski and Wilma Pauline Mueller. Bob’s childhood was spent in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and New Orleans, Louisiana. While his family was in New Orleans, Bob matriculated as a boarding student to Concordia Academy in Austin, Texas, where he studied until his senior year while competing in multiple sports. He then transferred to and graduated from Orlando High School in 1950 where his family had moved. During his senior year at OHS, Bob played basketball in the City League. While considering his future as a minister, Bob spent one year at Orlando Junior College, where he was on the basketball team. Dr. Morris Hale, president of OJC, provided Bob with valuable spiritual guidance, which resulted in his return to Austin to continue his junior college studies at Concordia College. He actively participated in many sports and graduated there in 1953. Bob attended Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri, from 1953-1958, working his way through school with jobs as custodians, salespersons, professional pallbearer, and busboy and waiter at Missouri Athletic Club and Chase Park Plaza. He did a summer internship in 1955 at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Miami and spent the year between his third and fourth year at the seminary as an intern at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. Bob’s first call from the seminary was to organize a new church in West Mobile, Alabama. On a visit to Orlando to assist his father in performing his sister’s wedding, he met his future wife, Elaine Brewton and they were married seven months later. Their first daughter, Carolyn Elaine, was born while he served in Mobile. While building the membership for the new congregation, Bob worked diligently toward acquiring property and completing the new Holy Cross Lutheran sanctuary. After the congregation was self-supporting, the family moved to Gainesville, Florida, where Bob had been called to serve as pastor of First Lutheran Church and campus pastor to Lutheran students at the University of Florida. It was here he became known as “Pastor B.” Very soon after the move to Gainesville, their second daughter, Betsy Lynn, was born. Bob served First Lutheran for 34 years. He was active in the community, serving on the boards of YMCA, Boys’ Club, Habitat for Humanity, and Elder Care. He was a charter officer of the University City Kiwanis Club, president of the Parent Teacher Organization at Terwilliger Elementary School, and Troop Leader of a Girl Scout Cadette Troop (a father-daughter troop). He was also active in the Gainesville Kiwanis Club, Rotary Club, Gainesville Ministerial Association, and the UF Campus Pastors Association. Bob served as a chaplain at the VA Hospital and was a member of the Gator Tip-off Club and the Florida Track Club, for which he served as an official at numerous track meets. He was a dedicated runner for more than 30 years, and a long-suffering golfer for more than that. During his 34 years at First Lutheran Church, he organized several new congregations in North Central Florida including Our Redeemer in Lake City, a congregation in Keystone Heights which later closed, and Good Shepherd in Chiefland. He was instrumental in the development of Abiding Savior Lutheran Church in Gainesville. He supervised 30 vicar/interns and inspired numerous sons of the congregation and UF students to enter full-time ministry. Bob earned a master’s degree in Guidance and Counseling at the University of Florida. For several years he enjoyed teaching Adult Education classes in Family Finance for the School Board of Alachua County. Upon retirement in 1996, Bob immediately became involved in interim ministry, serving congregations In Warner-Robins and Savannah, Georgia; Chiefland, Ocala, Middleburg, Ocala National Forest, and Lake City, Florida. Often concurrently, he traveled as a fundraiser/counselor for the Florida-Georgia District of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod for several years, visiting almost every congregation in Florida and Georgia. Over the 65 years of active and retired ministry, Bob held many posts in the District, such as Circuit Counselor and member of the Mission Board (20 years as chairman). Under his supervision many congregations were organized. He was awarded the distinguished Servant of Christ Award by the Florida-Georgia District, and the Behnken Medallion by the Veterans of the Cross organization. Bob will be remembered for his big heart, easy smile, generous nature, sage advice, and his unwavering faith in the Good News and God’s promise. He loved the beach, his family, his friends, his flock, all history, homemade baked goods, old movies, reminiscing about days gone by, traveling to his favorite places, communing with those he held dear, and life’s little miracles. Bob never met a stranger, and never turned his back on someone in need. A devoted husband and father, he enjoyed a special relationship with each of his four grandchildren, considering the time spent with them the best part of life. He loved his church, he befriended many neighbors, and his friendships were deep and long lasting. Bob will be forever missed by all those who knew and loved him. Predeceased by parents, Albert H. and Wilma M. Besalski, and sister Mary Barrow. Survivors include wife Elaine, Gainesville, and sister Carolyn Barton of Birmingham; daughters Carolyn Adams (Howard) of Tampa, and Betsy Alexander (Andy) of Glenn Springs, SC; grandchildren Amanda Adams Halks (Patrick), Megan Adams Congemi (Christopher), Robert Alexander (Lauren), and Emma Alexander; and great-granddaughter Annabelle Elaine Halks, as well as seven nephews and nine nieces. He embodies daily the Bible verse that was bestowed upon him at his confirmation: “Be faithful unto death, and I will give you a crown of Life” (Revelation 2:10). A Celebration Service will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, November 18th at First Lutheran Church in Gainesville. Visitation will be at 1:00 pm in the Besalski Fellowship Hall. The service will be available to live-stream at www.flcgainesville.org. Memorials to Bob’s life would be very appreciated and may be made to First Lutheran Church of Gainesville Scholarship Fund or Lutheran World Relief. Arrangements are under the care of Forest Meadows Funeral Home in Gainesville. www.forestmeadowsfh.com

Robert Besalski

July 6, 1933 - November 7, 2023