Robert Victor Tegeler, 83, of Spearfish, SD, passed away on Tuesday, February 22, 2011, at Ft. Meade VA Medical Center after a brief battle with cancer.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, March 5, 2011, 11:00 AM at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Spearfish. Inurnment will take place on Monday, March 7, 2011, 10:00 AM at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis, SD.

Robert (Bob) was born on March 25, 1927, to Victor and Mathilda (Meyer) Tegeler in Delaware County, IA. He was baptized in the Christian faith on March 31, 1927 at St. Francis Xavier Church, Dyersville, IA. His boyhood was filled with grand adventures. The Great Depression colored and influenced him for life. Upon his graduation from high school in 1945, he entered the Army and served in both WW II and the Korean Conflict.

Bob met the love of his life, Evelyn Tonn, in Waterloo, IA, and married her on May 22, 1949, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Independence, IA. Early in their marriage, Bob contracted both spinal and bulbar polio and was not expected to survive. They faced this challenge together and battled through a difficult recovery to enjoy nearly 62 years of marriage, ending each evening with a game of cribbage, good conversation and the 23rd Psalm.

Bob received a Bachelor of Arts in Speech and Hearing from Iowa State Teacher's College in 1957, and a Master of Arts in Education from State College of Iowa in 1965. He was hired as the first speech therapist in Warren County, IA, in August, 1957. Bob then worked as a speech therapist for Black Hawk County, IA until 1966, when he accepted the position as Director of Special Education for the Area Education Agency IV in Sheldon, and later, Sioux Center, IA. An excellent administrator, he was known as a champion for the children served by his staff and an advocate for eager, young employees in this new field of Special Education. In addition, Bob taught at Black Hills State in Spearfish for many summers.

Upon retirement, he and Evelyn moved to Spearfish. Bob held a lifetime Speech Pathologist certificate and a lifetime membership in the American Speech and Hearing Association.

Bob's family and faith were foremost in his life and he took pleasure in good friends and good food. A lifelong Chicago Cubs fan, he remained optimistic that they would someday win the World Series. He loved playing cards, camping, music, old radio shows, and was a lifelong learner. Bob served in many leadership roles in church and community. He was a current member of the American Legion and Our Savior's Lutheran, Spearfish.

Robert is survived by his loving wife, Evelyn and their three children: Kathleen (John) Fick, Grand Forks, ND; Alan (Donna Peterson), Hope, ME; and Sharon (Brad) Brandsrud, Watertown, SD.

He is also survived by grandchildren Matthew (Heidi) Fick, Anna Fick, Angela (Andrew) Newton, Nate (Amy) Peterson, Megan Brandsrud and David Brandsrud, as well as great grandchildren Alex and Penelope Newton. He is survived by one brother, Paul (Elaine) Tegeler, Loveland, CO, several sisters-in-law and one brother-in-law, as well as many nieces, nephews and dear friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, an infant brother, and one sister, Ruth Kortenkamp. Rest eternal grant him, O Lord, and may light perpetual shine upon him.

Memorials may be directed to Hospice of the Northern Hills, 1440 N. Main Street, Spearfish, SD or Good Shepherd Clinic, 1020 State Street, Spearfish, SD, or a charity of the donor's choosing.