William "Bob" Robert Hetrick

William Robert "Bob" Hetrick of Wichita, Kansas passed away on May 13, 2024 at the age of 91. During his final hours he was surrounded by his beloved family, comfortably resting in bed. During his final minutes, his daughter, Heather, played some of his favorite music for him as he slowly tip-toed from this earthly world into the place he always dreamed he'd end up; Heaven.Bob was born May 12, 1933 to Dorothy and William Frank Hetrick in Miami, Florida. He grew up adoring the ocean alongside his sister Phyllis. He served our country from the year 1953 to 1956 and later went on to obtain his Ph.D in Clinical Psychology. He opened his private practice here in Wichita to serve many people over the course of his career, and even worked as a Clinical Assistant Professor for 7 years. When asked "What life events have given you the most joy?" He wrote, "times when I think I have made a positive difference in another's life."On October 13, 1962, Bob married his life companion and best friend, Jo Ann Bartonek of Olmitz, Kansas. They spent 62 delightful years together raising two children, Mark and Heather, and enriching the lives of their four grandchildren; Taylor Hetrick, Tajh Hetrick, Magdalene Kavanagh-Hetrick, and Kelsey Johnson. Bob and Jo Ann traveled the world together visiting many sacred sites and even did volunteer work in Lourdes, France together.Bob was very strong in his faith in God. He always was caught praying or merely meditating while surrounded by images of Jesus Christ and all the Saints. He will be remembered for his monumental way with words, his constant dancing and singing, his contagious laugh, his soothing and comforting presence, and of course, his love of root beer. Cheers, Bob.Rosary will be at 5:00 pm, Wednesday, June 12, 2024; Funeral Mass will be at 10:00 am, Thursday, June 13, 2024, both at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church.A memorial has been established with St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, 1321 N. Stratford, Wichita, KS 67206.Services in care of Downing & Lahey East Mortuary.