Robert Parris Hellerstedt

Bob was known as Daddy Bob by his grandchildren and Pops to those that looked up to him. He never met a stranger and treated everyone with respect even if he didn’t agree with them. He was one of the few who could not name any enemies. He was always trying to help others and was a mentor to many with a work ethic that rubbed off on everyone around him.

After serving in the Air Force during the Korean War, he worked his way through college earning a master’s degree from Georgia Tech. He then began a career in banking in Atlanta, Ga. When Atlanta became too much of a rat race, he began a teaching career for high school students where he not only taught the curriculum, but life lessons. He then moved to Chattanooga, settling on Lookout Mountain and beginning a career at Cherokee Warehouses, Inc., which later became Kenco Logistic Services. He retired after 34 successful years where he not only helped the company grow, but he was able to touch so many lives of those that worked for him. He became a father figure to many who still respectfully called him “Pops”. After "retiring" he began a business with his sons, Heller Properties, LLC, investing in real estate, and enjoyed spending time at his farm.

Bob was born in a little town called Isabella, Tn. on January 01, 1931 to Edmund Eric and Elizabeth (Bess) Hellerstedt. He was the last survivor of a family of seven. He was preceded in death by three brothers, Edmund Eric, Jr., John, and Bill Hellerstedt, and three sisters, Mary Parris, Dorothy Kennedy, and Peggy Clow.

Survivors include his loving wife of 63 years, Ozella; two sons, Robert Hellerstedt, Jr. (Renee), and Evan Hellerstedt (Tresa); one grandson, Evan Hellerstedt, Jr. ; three granddaughters, Lexy, Laura Beth, and Bonnie Hellerstedt; and several nieces and nephews.

Graveside services will be held at 1 PM Friday at Forest Hills Cemetery with Pastor Darrell Davenport officiating. The family will receive friends from 4-8 PM Thursday at the East Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, 404 South Moore Road.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, 5401 Kingston Pike #230 Knoxville, Tennessee 37919 or to Lookout Mountain United Methodist Church 1300 Lula Lake Road, Lookout Mountain, Georgia 30738.