Submitted by: Mary Jo Koran

SBT – February 13, 1997

Robert T. Terlaak

Sept. 4, 1910 - Feb. 10, 1997

Robert Theodore Terlaak, 86, longtime Garrettsville, Ohio, resident, died on Monday, Feb. 10.

Bob was born on Sept. 4, 1910, to Peter and Sidonia Terlaak in Cleveland, Ohio. He graduated from John Marshall High School in 1927, with high academic and athletic honors as a football player and state wrestling champion.

In 1928, The University of Notre Dame recruited Bob to play football for its legendary coach, Knute Rockne. Bob played the position of right guard on Rockne's 1929 and 1930 national championship teams. He earned a Notre Dame letter for his athletics his sophomore year. After Rockne's sudden death, Bob went on to play center for Michigan State University, where he received the 1931 Scholar Athlete Award. Following his graduation from Michigan State University, Bob served as the line coach for their team. His Spartan team played in the very first Orange Bowl game.

Lt. Robert Terlaak enlisted in the U.S. Army during World War II, where he served as Chief Medical Officer on the United States Army Hospital Ship Shamrock in the South Pacific. He met his wife, Lt. Bernadine Himmelspach, on that ship. After they were married in June of 1946, Bob began a private construction firm and worked as the Warrensville Heights Building Inspector. In 1952, Bob and Bernie Terlaak moved to Garrettsville, Ohio.

Bob Terlaak is best remembered in Portage County for his extensive public service. He was instrumental in the passage of the levy which funded the creation and construction of the Maplewood Joint Vocational School and also served on the board. He served for several years on the board of the Happy Day School for the Retarded, and helped pass a levy to provide additional funding for that school. In addition, Bob Terlaak served several terms on the James A. Garfield Board of Education, and served at least one term as president. Bob also served his community as a village council member in 1958.

Bob donated much time to the service of St. Ambrose Church in Garrettsville, Ohio. He was an admired and inspirational speaker and private counselor for Alcoholics Anonymous groups across the northeastern Ohio area, and helped to turn many lives around during his time on this earth.

Robert Terlaak is survived by his four daughters, Bernadine Terlaak Kennison of Denver, Colo., Mary Terlaak-Smith of Rancho Santa Fe, Calif., Patricia Terlaak Beltranena of Buellton, Calif., and Christina Terlaak Manuelli of Princeton Junction, N.J.; nine grandchildren, Matthew King, David and Lauren Smith, Renee, Nicki, Chepe and Ines Beltranena, and Katherine and Peter Manuelli.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, Feb. 14, in the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, Notre Dame. Burial will follow at Highland Cemetery in South Bend, where Robert Theodore Terlaak will be laid to rest close to his former coach, Knute Rockne.

Friends may call from 9 to 9:30 a.m. Friday in the Hickey Funeral Home, 17131 Cleveland Road.

Memorials may be made to the St. Ambrose Church Food Bank, Denver, Colo.