Robert Allen Banck's Obituary
Robert Allen Banck departed this earth for his heavenly home on October 19, 2023 surrounded by his adoring wife, six children and grandchildren. Rob loved his family, was a man of faith and integrity and passionately pursued learning his entire life. He will be missed.
He adored his wife, Suzanne “Suzie” Althans Banck, who he met when he was just twelve years old. Rob and Suzie were happily married for 57 years. The length of their marriage is a testament to Suzie’s patience and Rob’s motto of “one life, one wife.” On a serious note, their abiding love was obvious to their children with early morning hugs in the kitchen during the flurry of raising six children, their common passion for all things food, family, horses and a country life, Rob’s tender care for Suzie during a recent recovery from a broken limb, Suzie’s tender care of Rob in his final days and everything in between. His truly was a life well loved!
Rob was born on November 11, 1944, in Detroit, Michigan, and although he made two attempts to live “up north”, Louisiana always brought him home. Rob graduated from University of New Orleans in history and political science, which aside from horses and his wife (perhaps in that order), was his one true love and passion. When Rob was not working around his micro-farm and peddling artesian bread at local markets, Rob would be found reading his favorite subject, history. He was a voracious reader and had a superior intellect as he gladly shared with anyone who would listen.
Rob’s early success in business evolved into a career in business consulting, which allowed him to actively pursue his dream of being a master horseman, expert lawnmower, skilled DIYer, and reluctant baker. Rob came to faith in middle age and had a calling for ministry and a simple life. For more than 20 years, Rob led both the Southshore and Northshore chapters of the Christian Business Men Connection (CBMC) Executive Forums, which was an accountability group of faith-minded business leaders focused on a Christ-centered approach to running their businesses and being leaders in the community. Never one to mince words, Rob took his calling seriously and entreated his groups to live a life of honor and integrity following Christ’s example in their personal lives and in their professions. Rob was not afraid to speak truth regardless of the consequences.
For nearly 25 years, Rob and Suzie owned and operated Windfield Farm Bakery, an artesian bakery in Franklinton, LA. Rob was a good (although disinclined) baker, and he absolutely loved the connection and community of the local open-air markets where their bread was sold. Rob was generous with his time and a treasure to his community. He loved sharing his joy of life, sharp wit and wisdom with his friends and customers at markets who quickly became friends.
In his later years, Rob acquired the very important title of Pappy. Pappy was a loving grandfather to his thirteen grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Pappy could be seen teaching his “grands” to piddle around the farm. He was a patient and loving grandfather and was glad to wander around his farm with a train of little and big grands behind him. Pappy needed no excuse to hook a trailer behind his tractor or saddle up a horse to take everyone for a ride. His truly was a life well lived.
Rob is proceeded in death by his parents, Robert Allen Banck and Emma Isabel Roberts. He is survived by his adoring wife, Suzanne Althans Banck; his sister, Karin Lynn Helms; his children Elke Karin Carter, Krestina Suzanne Banck and her soon to be wife, Catrina Wilson; Robin Banck Taylor; Christian Emmanuel Banck and his wife, Dokyung Banck; Sarah Abbott Leonard and her husband, Nathaniel Thomas Leonard; Andrew Michael Banck and his wife, Elaine Banck; his grandchildren, Steven Allen Carter and his wife, Jessi Carter; Hunter Nicholas Carter and his wife, Chelsea Dulin; Zachary Allen Taylor; Jack Thomas Taylor; Annabelle Lee Taylor; Isabelle Nena Banck; William Holt Banck; Robert Daniel Perkins; Adeline Mae Perkins; Coralee Abbott Perkins; Henry Lee Gonzales; Chloe Lee Gonzales; his great-grandchildren, Aurora Marie Odette Carter and Madeline Grace Carter. His is also survived by his acquired daughter, Amanda Lucille “Lucy” Leatherwood, and his close devoted friends, Collette and Darwin Sharp and Stella Nester and Gary Richardson.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend the funeral service at Trinity Lutheran Church, 22139 Level Street, Abita Springs, LA 70420 on Saturday, October 28, 2023 at 1:00pm with visitation beginning at 12:00pm until service time.
E. J. Fielding Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements. Please sign the online guestbook at www.ejfieldingfh.com.
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