Robert A. Reichert, 91, of Columbia, died March 29, 2024, at his residence. He was born October 13, 1932, in East St. Louis.

After serving in the Army, Robert returned home and served as a rural mail carrier for the post office in East Carondelet for 35 years. He also farmed with his brother Gilbert, and he raised a huge vegetable garden from which he would sell his produce and feed his family.  Robert enjoyed woodworking in his spare time. Robert was also known as a “Mr. Fix It” mechanic and inventor. He could make or build anything he needed. Robert built their family home in 1958 and he and Mary lived in the home he built their entire married life. He was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Columbia, the National Rural Letter Carriers Association, VFW Post 7980 in Millstadt and the St. Clair County Farm Bureau.  

Surviving are his wife of 66 years Mary (nee Corner) Reichert, whom he married on Oct. 17, 1957; children John Reichert, Rita Reichert, James (Ruthann) Reichert and Rosanne Reichert; grandchildren, John “Johnny” Reichert, Robert “Bobby” Reichert, Madeline Reichert, Abigail Reichert, Evan Reichert, Anthony Hill and Adelle Hill; great-granddaughter Melissa Reichert; along with other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by parents Christian and Alydia (nee Lanhans) Reichert, sisters Ruth Court and Dolores Dahm and brother Gilbert Reichert.  

Visitation is 5-8 p.m. April 3 at Leesman Funeral Home in Columbia.  There will be a VFW service at 7 p.m. 

Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. April 4 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Columbia with Fr. Steve Thoma officiating. 

Interment will follow in the Immaculate Conception Cemetery, Columbia.  

In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions be directed to the Millstadt VFW Post 7980 or Hospice of Southern Illinois.