Robert Earl Koenig, 89, of Decatur, passed away on Saturday, March 19th, 2016. Visitation will be Wednesday, March 23rd, from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. The funeral will follow the visitation at 11 a.m. Pastor Eddie Scheler will be officiating and Roselawn Funeral Home directing.
Mr. Koenig is preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Irene Harp Koenig; son, Robert (Bobby) Earl Koenig Jr.; sisters, Geraldine Collins and Aline Mrha; and brother, Carl Koenig. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Georgia Koenig; son, Mark Koenig; daughter, Andrea Koenig; daughter-in-law, Rebecca Temples; grandchildren, Amelia Koenig and Claire Koenig; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Robert was a proud World War II veteran of the Army. He retired from Champion International in Courtland, as a controller.
Robert was a dedicated volunteersman, and spent much of his time working in different volunteer positions trying to improve the lives of others. Those positions include: Vice President, North Central Alabama mental Retardation Authority, 1994-1996; Chairman, Board of Directors, Center for the Developmentally Disabled, 1991-1994; President, Morgan County Advocates for the Decatur Workshop, 1991-1997; Board Member, Chairman of Audit Committee, Arc of Morgan County, 1993-1995; Chairman, Sub-Committee for Developmentally Disabled, Southern District LCMS, 1995-1996; Pre-School Board, St. Paul’s Lutheran, 1995-1996; President, City of Opportunity Civitan Club, 1982-1984, Treasurer, 1974-1978;Chairman, Lurleen B. Wallace Developmental Center Advocacy and Advisory Committee, 1989-1992; Education Committee member, Decatur Chamber of Commerce, 1974-1975; Budget Committee, Morgan County United Way, 1973; Board Member, Alabama Disabled Advocacy Program, 1977-1980; Member, Partlowe Human Right Committee, Appointed by Federal District Judge, Frank Johnson, 1975-1978; ARC Alabama- President 1976-1978, Vice President 1974-1976, Chair of Membership Committee, 1973; Arc United States-Represented ARC Alabama on Nominating Committee for Southeast Region, 1976.
Mr. Koenig was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Decatur, where he had served as an Elder and an Usher. He spent his free time golfing, dining out, gardening, and traveling. Serving as pallbearers will be Jim Forthman, Jerry Aldrich, Rick Morgan, Joe Hagar III, David Koenig, and Stephen Koenig. Honorary pallbearers include David Bureal, Dan Jones, Tommy Livingston, Ron Scibert and Charles Roland.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made to Bethesda Lutheran Home, P.O. Box 729 Cypress, TX 77410 or to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 1700 Carridale St. Decatur, AL 35601.
