Obituaries

Robert Jurgensmeyer (Veteran)

Photo of Robert Jurgensmeyer (Veteran)
Robert ("Bob") Frank Jurgensmeyer, age 75, of Columbia, passed away Sunday, November 21, 2010, at Boone Hospital. Bob was born on April 5, 1935, on his family's farm near St. Elizabeth, Mo., the fifth of nine children of Joseph and Clara Jurgensmeyer. Bob married Ruth Kaiser on June 14, 1958, in St. Thomas, Mo. Ruth was the love of Bob's life and survives. Bob had a limitless passion for adventure, challenges and life, living each day to its fullest. Bob graduated from high school in St. Elizabeth, Mo., and proceeded to graduate from the University of Missouri-Columbia in 1958. While at Mizzou, Bob began working at Philips & Company. After completing his active service in the United States Army, Bob returned to Philips & Company and eventually became President. Bob's later business ventures included developing The Colonies Office Plaza and Country Club Village in Columbia. Bob continued to serve in the United States Army Reserves and Selective Service and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel. Bob enjoyed many community activities. He and Ruth have been members of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church for 45 years. Bob was a decades-long member of the Little Dixie Kiwanis Club and particularly enjoyed selling tickets to the annual pancake breakfast. Bob was a lifelong fan of Mizzou athletics and had football and basketball season tickets for over four decades. Bob coached little league baseball for his children and was active in his sons' Boy Scout troops. Ensuring the continuation and sharing of family heritage and traditions were important to Bob. He was an avid outdoorsman. Bob was passionate about salmon fishing in Alaska with his brothers, children, grandchildren and friends, and particularly enjoyed sharing with others the bounty of his catch. He also enjoyed farming, raising cattle and camping. Bob was a selfless man, very generous with his time and advice for others. He will be missed by all who were fortunate enough to have been touched by his life and love. In addition to Ruth, Bob is survived by his pride and joy, his three sons, two daughters and 17 grandchildren: Randy Jurgensmeyer and his wife, Jane Russell Jurgensmeyer of Dallas, Texas, and their children, Hannah and Claire; RenÈ Jurgensmeyer Gillespie and her husband, Stan Gillespie of Leawood, Kan., and their children, Ben, Lauren and Megan; Brian Jurgensmeyer and his wife, Cathy Middleton Jurgensmeyer of Leawood, Kan., and their children, Sarah, David and Luke; Jeff Jurgensmeyer and his wife, Amy McGregor Jurgensmeyer of Overland Park, Kan., and their children, Philip, George, Annie, Ellie, Emily and Jack; and Julie Jurgensmeyer Sansbury and her husband, Bryan Sansbury of The Woodlands, Texas, and their children Cooper, Presley and Harper. Bob was preceded in death by his father and mother and his brother, Ambrose. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. today, Wednesday, November 24, at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Columbia. A reception and luncheon will immediately follow the services. Following the reception, Bob will be buried with military honors at St. Lawrence Cemetery in St. Elizabeth, Mo. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to the Father Tolton Catholic High School in Columbia or the American Heart Association. Tributes can be left online at www.memorialfuneralhomeand cemetery.com

Published November 24, 2010