Dr. Robert L. Malench

August 29, 1934 - October 29, 2019

Robert L. Malench, age 85, of Edwardsville, Illinois, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, October 29, 2019, at Edwardsville Care Center. He was born August 29, 1934, in Livingston, Illinois, the son of the late Henry A. & Mary (Rizzi) Malench. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Linda L. (Sandlin) Malench; & brother Dr. Henry L. Malench. Bob is survived by his children, Elizabeth Malench & partner Greg of Kansas City, MO, James Malench & wife Tonya of Columbus, OH, Roberta Brookshire & husband Paul of St. Peters, MO, & Stephanie Malench of Collinsville, IL; grandchildren Alex Brookshire, Eli Malench, Josh Malench, & Noel Malench. Robert was the son of Italian immigrants and attended Livingston Community Schools. He attended Saint Louis University & Saint Louis University School of Medicine from 1952 to 1959, following which he completed his post-graduate internship at St. Louis City Hospital from 1959 to 1962. He then served as a captain in the U.S. Army from 1962 to 1964 and then was assigned to provide care and treatment to veterans at the U.S. Soldiers home in Washington, D.C. After that he joined his brother Dr. Henry Malench in private practice as a family practitioner & general surgeon. Robert was later joined in the practice by his nephews, Dr. Anthony Malench & Dr. Peter Malench. During his time in private practice he was also on the medical staff at St. Joseph Hospital in Highland, IL and then at Anderson Hospital in Maryville, IL. His children still fondly recall the “black bag behind the door” which he took with him on house calls at any time of the day or night. Robert went into well-deserved retirement in 2002. His compassion for patients and others was unwavering throughout his life. He raised his children to “be exposed” to new learning opportunities both large and small, and they are eternally grateful for that. Among other things, he enjoyed reading, traveling & working in the yard. He was a witty story teller and a loyal fan of the St. Louis Cardinals & St. Louis Blues. His many memberships included: the American Medical Association, the Illinois State Medical Society, Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society, St. Boniface Catholic Church, past president of the Woodlawn Cemetery Association, Friends of the Lovejoy Library, The Missouri Botanical Gardens, St. Louis Art Museum, & the St. Louis Zoo. He was also a member of the Tuesday Morning Crew at the Benjamin Stephenson House in Edwardsville, which he enjoyed immensely, solving the world problems over coffee when their work was completed. A private family service will be held at Weber & Rodney Funeral Home in Edwardsville, with The Very Reverend Jeffrey Goeckner officiating. In lieu of flowers the family request memorials to Woodlawn Cemetery Assoc. or the Benjamin Stephenson House in care of Weber & Rodney Funeral Home.