When Sir Knight Robert Hackett, Assembly #2751, and Holy Spirit Council #11548, passed on September 1st, a Knight with 43 years of continuous service, a past Grand Knight, a past Faithful Navigator that also held the State Office of District Deputy in Texas, the Color Corps stepped up.
Brother Bob was for 20 years the Knights liaison with Special Olympics and started their golf program in the Treasure Valley. Handicapped himself, with a bad arm, he loved golf and loved showing the kids how to play the game. He was also present for almost every Knights activity, be it working the pancake breakfasts, fish fry’s, passing out bags for the food drive, or handing out baby bottles. Once of his greatest pleasures was being a Eucharistic Minister at Holy Apostles. His service was held Monday, September, with 21 Treasure Valley Color Corps paying honor and many fellow Knights in attendance.
Obituary
Robert Neil Hackett
July 21, 1937 – September 1, 2023
Robert “Bob” Neil Hackett went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Sept 1, 2023 in Eagle Idaho. Bob was born July 21, 1937 in Washington D.C. to Francis and Sidonia Hackett. He was a management consultant with Stone & Webster in New York until 1977 when he relocated his family to El Paso, Texas and continued his career with El Paso Electric Company retiring as Vice President of the rate department in 1994.
He retired in Eagle Idaho with his beautiful wife, Ann O’Leary Hackett, and was very involved at their parish, Holy Apostles Catholic Church. He was a long-time active member of the Knights of Columbus and volunteered with many things including the Special Olympics. He was a passionate golfer and very proud of the state-wide golf program he created for the Special Olympics. He taught many physically challenged people how to play golf despite any disabilities they had.
He was a devoted father, grand-father, and great-grandfather. Bob had a heart of gold and touched many lives. He was always there for those if they ever needed a hand.
He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Ann Hackett; children: Mike Hackett (Mary Jane), Patti Henderson, Matt Hackett, Sean Hackett, Beth Wilt (Jeff), Jamo O’Leary, John O’Leary (Amy), Jenny Heichman (John); daughter-in-law, Darla O’ Leary; 19 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren and sister, Gail Standring. He was preceded in death by his son, Michael O’Leary.
Services will be held at Holy Apostles Catholic Church on Monday, September 18th. A Rosary will begin at 10 AM followed by the funeral Mass at 11 AM. Committal services will be at the Holy Apostles Columbarium. Immediately after the Mass a celebration of life will be in the church dining room. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made in Bob’s name to St. Ignatius School. Remembrances can be left for Bob’s family at www.AccentFuneral.com
