Robert Hirsch

THE WOODLANDS, Texas -- Robert Oscar Hirsch died peacefully Saturday, May 26, 2018, at his home, surrounded by his wife and family.

He was born Aug. 14, 1927, in Cape Girardeau, grew up there and like so many of the Greatest Generation, served his country as a seaman first class in the U.S. Navy during World War II.

He graduated from Massachusetts Institute of Technology with degrees in electrical engineering (Bachelor of Science, 1948), business and engineering administration (Bachelor of Science, 1950), and business and engineering administration (Master of Science, 1951).

Following his graduation from MIT, Robert worked for Bendix Corp. and used his expertise in radio frequencies to assist with development of the Sparrow air-to-air missile. In 1954, he returned to Cape Girardeau to build the KFVS television station. He served as its first manager and then vice president of KFVS-TV, a CBS affiliate.

A civic-minded man, Robert served his community in a variety of ways. His memberships included First Presbyterian Church in Cape Girardeau, president of the Lions Club, president of the Board of Directors of Southeast Missouri Hospital and life membership in the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.

Generous in word and deed, and both quiet and unassuming, he shared his passion for life and sports by teaching those he loved how to sail and ski. He played tennis at The Woodlands Country Club for 30 years and enjoyed watching all sports. His model train collection and train room were a sight to behold and brought decades of joy to Robert, his children and grandchildren. Politically aware, he loved reading and listened and "talked back to Rush" every day. He was quick with a compliment and praise, and was genuinely interested in the lives of others. He was truly a kind and gentle man and will be missed by all who knew and loved him.

He is survived by his wife and the love of his life, Clairlee Stage Hawn-Hirsch; daughters, Lucile (Melvin) Fitzgerald Hirsch, Ellen Hirsch (William) Mantia and Catherine (Jack) Hawn; sons, William (Martha) and James (Jan) Hirsch; sister, Marjorie Anne (Keith) Deimund; brother, James Fitzgerald (Beverly) Hirsch; grandchildren, Megan R. Mantia, Jessica L. Mantia, Dane C. Mantia, Melinda Sadler (Erich) Mueller, Diana Hirsch Sadler, Jonathan D. (Adrienne) Hunnicutt, Emily K. (Micah) Baize, William N. Hawn, Catherine M. Hawn, Charles R. Hawn, Julia C. Hawn and James S. Hawn; great-grandchildren, Joshua, Anya and Isaac Hunnicutt and Sophia and Grace Baize; and many nieces and nephews.

Robert was preceded in death by his children, Christian R. Hirsch and Margaret I. Hirsch; and his parents, Oscar Christian Hirsch and Anna Geraldine Fitzgerald Hirsch.

A private graveside service for family will be held at the Cape County Memorial Park Cemetery.

A public "Celebration of Life" memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at First Presbyterian Church in Cape Girardeau.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations to the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center at mdanderson.org, or to a charity of your choice.

Ford and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Online condolences may be shared at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.