Robert Michael Hauck born on April 7, 1946, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family, on November 23, 2021.
Son of Georgette Vasconi and Charles Hauck, Bob was a force to be reckoned with. If you were lucky enough to spend 5 minutes with him, you quickly learned that he shared his opinion quite loudly, told you that you were wrong multiple times, and then ended the conversation with a reminder to be safe and a request to “call when you get there.” A protector by nature, Bob surrounded his family and friends with love, laughter, and a sense of security.
Bob grew up on Elmhurst Avenue in Queens, New York. He was known to be a talented handball player at the P.S. 89 courts and loved to play baseball. On Sunday evenings he could be found enjoying a roast beef dinner with his sisters, mother, stepfather Steve, and grandparents, Leon and Laurette Rolandez, in their New York City apartment. He often spoke of his deep love for his grandparents, originally from Morbier, France, especially his grandma who was very fond of her “Bobby.”
Bob graduated from Bryant High School in Long Island City, NY, in 1964 and joined the United States Navy shortly after graduation. He then worked in New York City at the famous Out of Town newspaper stand in Times Square. He loved his stories from the newsstand, and this solidified his love of NYC. To spend more time in the City, he worked as a yellow cab driver, and this is where he learned to drive with two feet. Even after his cabby days ended, Bob enjoyed applying his driving skills to any trip, much to the dismay of his passengers.
Always looking for a new challenge, Bob began to train and fight as a boxer. Standing 6 feet 4 inches tall, Bob was a successful fighter, a Golden Gloves boxer, and a challenging opponent in amateur boxing rings across New York City.
While this life was exhilarating, he did eventually settle down and lovingly raised his two children, Jenn and Edd, with his wife at the time, Ruby. He resumed his studies to become an electronics technician and worked at Varisystems in Long Island. His ease and expertise in EDM machines led him to Charmilles Technology where he worked as a top specialist until he opened his own business, EDM Specialists. This work sent him to businesses across the country where he made many friends and developed a particular hatred of airports, none more despised than Chicago O’Hare for some reason we never fully understood. No matter where he traveled, Bob called his children every single night to tell them he loved them and always ended each phone call with “Take care of each other” to which they always replied, “Promise.”
In 2003, Bob relocated to Hutchinson, Kansas, to be with the love of his life, Kristi. He was surrounded by her loving family and kept them entertained with his sense of humor, his blunt honesty, and funny habits such as paying many of his bills in person. They grew very close to Bob over the years and the amount of love they shared was palpable as they exceeded visitor and time limits in Hutchinson Hospital’s ICU at the end of his life.
Bob is survived by his partner and best friend, Kristi Baldwin of Hutchinson, Kansas; his daughter Jennifer Hauck Bryson of Wilmington, MA; his son Edward Hauck of Queens, NY; and his sisters: Laura Beverage of Medford, NJ, and Suzanne Pollastrelli of New Hope, PA. He also leaves behind his brother-in-law Clarence Beverage of Medford, NJ; son-in-law Jeff Bryson and grandchildren Hannah and Theo Bryson of Wilmington, MA; daughter-in-law Natalie Hauck of Queens, NY; stepdaughter Ronni Baldwin of Hutchinson, KS, and her children: Kyleigh Ebersole, Harlee Ebersole, Tori Ebersole, Kristen Ebersole, Ravi Baldwin, Ashton Baldwin, and Peyton Baldwin; stepdaughter Brandi Meyer of Hutchinson, KS, and her children: Cassie Meyer, Tahnee Windom, Acacia Meyer, Daekwon Armstrong, Amiya Clanton, and Davion Clanton; and great grandchildren Isabella, Italie, Deon, Connor, Nalyh, Alex, Xalyn, and Easton. His humor, stories, quirks, and the safety he provided to all those he loved will be deeply missed. We promise to take care of each other, Dad.
A private memorial and celebration of Bob’s life will be held in Hutchinson and New York City. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Bob’s name to Hospice House, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.