Robert "Bob" Gene Bruggeman

Robert “Bob” Bruggeman, 86, of Sabetha, Kansas passed away Monday, November 7, 2022, at the Sabetha Manor where he had been a resident for three months. 

Bob was born on July 9, 1936, in Joliet, Illinois to Robert Frederick Bruggeman and Virginia (Poulsen) Bruggeman.  He spent his childhood in Fort Pierce, Florida.  He moved to Tonganoxie, Kansas with his mother and brother, Ronnie, in 1950 and graduated from Tonganoxie High School in 1954.  

He married Wanda Nell Davis on January 26, 1958, in Tonganoxie, Kansas.  They made their home in Lawrence, Kansas until he was drafted into military service with the U.S. Army in 1959.  He served in the Army in military intelligence in Frankfurt, Germany for two years.  

Upon his honorable discharge in 1961, they moved to Sabetha, Kansas where he worked at Davis Hardware Store.  Bob and Wanda welcomed two sons, Robert Christian and Craig Davis.  Bob worked at Wenger Manufacturing from 1980 until his retirement.  He was also the owner of Bob’s Appliance Service for 40 years.  

Bob dedicated his generous nature to the community through service – as a universal blood donor for 30 years and teaching Kansas Hunter Safety courses to the Sabetha community for 50 years.  He was a member of the Sabetha Jaycees and the Sabetha United Methodist Church. 

A calm, generous, thoughtful man he loved his wife, sons, and grandchildren well.  He performed many acts of kindness throughout his life whether it was time, a good visit, or fixing any appliance when called upon.   His good luck at the casino was legendary in his family and he will be missed by his family and friends. 

He was preceded in death by his grandparents; his parents; his wife, Wanda Bruggeman, on April 18, 2005; and his brother, Ronald Bruggeman, in 2020.    

He is survived by his two sons, Christian Bruggeman, and his wife, Kim, of Edmond, Oklahoma and their three daughters, Amanda (Anthony) Audo and Madeline and Amelia of Royce City, Texas, Katie Francis of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and Kayla (Parker) Case and Sutton and Palmer of Edmond, Oklahoma; and Craig Bruggeman, and his wife, Krista, of Sabetha, Kansas and their two sons, Ross (Kelsey) Bruggeman and Ellie, Emerson, and Ivy of Sabetha, Kansas and Reid (Whitney) Bruggeman and Robert “RJ” Bruggeman of Bellevue, Nebraska.  

Memorial services will be held on Friday, November 18, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. at the Popkess Mortuary Chapel in Sabetha with military honors by the Sabetha VFW Post #7285.  A visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until service time at the mortuary.  A private inurnment at the Albany Cemetery will follow at a later date.  Memorial contributions are suggested to the Sabetha Youth Baseball and Softball programs sent in care of Popkess Mortuary, 823 Virginia, Sabetha, Kansas 66534.  Online condolences may be left for the family at www.popkessmortuaries.com