Rob Bartal has been a tremendous asset to both our school and church by helping us keep current with technology. As our go-to IT guy, he has not only donated his services but has saved the day many times! He and his family moved to Williams Bay from Glenview in 2003. They decided to send their kids, Bridget and Graham, to SFDS School because Rob’s wife had such a good experience being educated in Catholic schools. They wanted the same benefits for their children and had heard great things about our school. Rob jumped right in as a volunteer by helping with computer-related services at the parish at the end of 2003…and is still going strong!
Rob graduated with a degree in economics from the University of Illinois, but continued on to be certified as a computer programmer at DePaul University. He worked for several years developing lending and accounting software. His wife, Susan Hagnell, is an OB/GYN physician at Aurora. After their first child was born, they decided that it would be best for their family if Rob primarily stayed home with the kids. For ten years while their children were students at SFDS Rob worked part-time as the IT coordinator for the school. After a great SFDS grade school experience, Bridget attended Badger High and was confirmed at St. Francis. She is now a sophomore at Lawrence University. Graham is currently a junior at Badger High School. He has been a wonderful volunteer with our parish religious education mission trips to Harlan, KY and St. Louis, MO. He will be confirmed this year.
While volunteering at the church, a couple of bigger projects Rob has been involved with are creating the church’s first website, running network cable throughout the parish center, setting up new computers for the staff, setting up multi-user QuickBooks, and installing all of the LCD projectors and Mimio smart boards in the school. When necessary, he helps the parish staff troubleshoot glitches with their computers, software and network. Currently Rob is working on the installation of the new door access system in the parish center.
What does he see as future challenges for our parish from an IT point of view? “I think it will be important to strike a good balance between adding new technology and keeping things fairly simple. In that way the parish can continue to function without the need to employ a costly IT person.”
Besides volunteering at St. Francis Parish, Rob does IT work as an independent consultant for a businesses and families in the area.
What’s the best part about being a volunteer at St. Francis de Sales parish and school? “In fourteen years I’ve never had a bad experience or felt that my help was unappreciated. I volunteer at SFDS because I enjoy IT work and it gives me a sense of accomplishment. It feels good to give back to a parish that has given so much to my family.” Thank you Rob for your expertise and patience! We so appreciate you!