Robert William Helbing

Our beloved father, Robert William Helbing, age 96, passed away peacefully after a brief battle with cancer to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on October 15, 2022. Bob was born on April 14, 1926, in Chicago, Illinois. He graduated from Tilden Tech High School and was class president of his graduating class. He enlisted in the military in 1944 proudly serving in the United States Navy serving 3 of his 4 years as an electronic equipment technician. Upon returning home from his service, he went on to pursue a degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Illinois. He was soon hired and served for 2 years with Schlumberger Corporation as a Field Service Engineer in the oil field industry in Evansville, Indiana and later was transferred to Alice, Texas. In 1951-52, Bob joined his parents who had moved from Chicago, and had built their new home in Pharr, Texas. At this time, Bob was also a McAllen Jaycee member and among many good friends, he met Mr. Calvin Bentsen. Bob remembers very fondly a particular conversation with Mr. Bentsen in front of Jones and Jones on Main Street in McAllen where Mr. Bentsen related to Bob that he was looking for a salesman and an engineer. And Bob cheerfully responding with, “Cal, I are one!” To which Mr. Bentsen said, “See me tomorrow in my office!” And that was a turning point, and the beginning of his association with the Texair Company, originally made up of Mr. Calvin Bentsen, Mickey Allen and Bob Helbing. About 3 years thereafter, Mr. Bentsen sold his share and Jim Webb was brought into the organization. From then on, company owners Bob Helbing, Mickey Alleyn and Jim Webb went on to build a “real good triumphant organization in the air conditioning business, second to none, the best in the Rio Grande Valley.” “Texair has been serving South Texas for over 65 years. Texair is one of a handful of HVAC companies that pioneered the Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) industry in the Rio Grande Valley.” At the end of the year 2008, Bob retired from Texair as a full time engineer, but continued to be in an advisory capacity until 2022. Bob is remembered as a charming old gent with a lot of grit who lived his life to the fullest. He loved the outdoors, especially camping and fishing with family and friends. He was a Scout Master for Troop 7 in McAllen and taught the many valuable life skills to the guys in the troop which included his own son. Bob was a very strong believer in physical fitness. In addition to jogging along North 10th Street in McAllen, he was an avid Nordic track ski exerciser and a bicyclist. Always learning and unbelievably sharp, he had strong working ethics and appreciated the many challenges presented to him with positivity. Enjoying the fruits of his labor, Bob, Betty and Bobby took annual summer camping vacations to New Mexico and Colorado in their tent camper. Bob enjoyed the peacefulness of camping at his favorite camping spot north of Santa Fe, New Mexico in a very remote area of the Santa Clara Reservation, taking time to go fishing for rainbow trout in the many ponds on that property. Later on Bob and Betty took the opportunity to embark on cruises to Europe and came back with exciting stories to tell. He was proud of and loved his country and was interested and involved in politics. Most of all, he loved and was committed to his soul mate, Betty Jo and his son whom he was always so proud of. Above all, he loved his Lord and Savior and was appreciative and thankful and never forgot his humble beginnings. A longtime resident of McAllen, Texas, he was the son of Alvin William Helbing and Mae Helbing, who preceded him in death, as did his sister, Margaret Dimitri and his dear sweet wife which he shared 49 wedding anniversaries, Betty Jo Helbing. He is survived by his son, Robert Forrest Helbing, his daughter-in-law, Maria Carmen Helbing, and his granddaughter, Christy Marie Helbing. He will be dearly remembered. Visitation will be 6:00PM- 8:00PM Monday, October 24, 2022 at Kreidler Funeral Home. The Funeral service will be 11:30 AM Tuesday, October 25, 2022 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in McAllen. The burial will follow 1:00PM at Valley Memorial Gardens Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, a memorial donation to either St. Paul Lutheran Church, McAllen, Texas or Easter Seals will be appreciated.

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Robert William Helbing

April 14, 1926 - October 15, 2022