Robert Philip McGovern

Robert P. McGovern of South Bend, IN, passed away on Monday, July 9, 2018, due to natural causes. Bob was born on August 14, 1935 in New York City to John and Helen (Gaisser) McGovern. He was preceded in death by his parents and a grandson, Liam Whitlow.

On September 7, 1957, he married the former Deloris “Dee” Straka at St Joseph Church in South Bend. Dee predeceased him in 1998. Bob is survived by his five children – Michael (Kimberly) McGovern of The Woodlands, TX; Thomas (Katrina) McGovern of Granger, IN; Kevin (Patty) McGovern of Pickerington, OH; Timothy (Melinda) McGovern of Granger, IN; and Kellie (Brad) Whitlow of Phoenix, AZ; fifteen grandchildren – John, Collin, Troy, Adam, Tyler, Cole, Nick, Brandon, and Sean McGovern; Meghan and Luke Whitlow; Kierstin, Mitch (Janell), and Chandler Miller, and Mike Mueller; two great-grandchildren – Olivia and Riley; brother, Dr. Peter (Dr. Catherine) McGovern of Manchester, NH; brother-in-law, Michael (Karen) Straka of Lake Oconomowoc, WI; sister-in-law, Peggy Singleton of Cooper City, FL; cousins, Gene (Marge) Gaisser and Ginger, both of Newton, CT.

Bob graduated from St. Mary’s High School in Long Island, NY. He then went on to graduate from the University of Notre Dame in 1958, with a subsequent master’s degree in 1959. He taught for the South Bend Community School Corporation for 43 years and also taught classes at St. Mary’s College and Indiana University South Bend.

He was a past member of the Notre Dame Alumni Club, Elks, Knights of Columbus and Knollwood Country Club. He was also a long-time parishioner of St. Thérèse, Little Flower Church. He loved Notre Dame, casinos, and traveling.

The family would like to thank the staff at Brookdale Granger, for taking such good care of him and making him a part of their family, as well as the Center for Hospice Care.

Visitation will be on Sunday, July 15, 2018 from 4:00-7:00PM, with rosary service at 7:00PM, at Palmer Funeral Home—Hickey Chapel, 17131 Cleveland Road, South Bend. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, July 16th at 11:00AM at St. Thérèse, Little Flower Catholic Church, 54191 Ironwood Road, South Bend. Entombment will follow at St. Joseph Valley Memorial Park in Granger, IN.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Ronald McDonald House Charities of Michiana, 610 N. Michigan Ave, South Bend, IN 46601; to the Jeffrey Modell Foundation, 780 Third Ave, New York, New York, 10017 or to LOGAN Center, 2505 E. Jefferson Blvd, South Bend, IN 46615.

Online condolences may be left for the McGovern family at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.