On September 27, 1931, near the beginning of the Great Depression, Robert Leo Wermers, the third of Casper "Cap" Wermers and Odelia "Della" Mutziger's eight children, was born on the family farm on the edge of Ethan, South Dakota. As on all South Dakota farms of that time, the children pitched in with the many farm chores, which included milking the cows and delivering milk to their Ethan customers for 10 cents a bottle. Their farm had the best well water in the Ethan area and at the age of 1o Bob drove the Model A pickup to deliver water to customers' cisterns around town.

When Bob was a sophomore in high school his father, Cap, unexpectedly passed away from a WW1 head injury. Being the oldest son still at home at the time he had to quit school to help feed the family. He bought a gas truck and delivered gas to the area farms. He met the first love of his life, Joyce Maeschen, while in high school in Ethan. Joyce gave him another good reason to go back to high school. Bob grew up Catholic and continued to date Joyce through and after high school at the objection of Joyce's father, Martin, who was a staunch German Lutheran. Bob continued selling gas until he enlisted in the Air Force in 1953.

Back in Ethan, on leave from the Air Force, Bob asked Joyce to marry him. Joyce agreed and they were happily married on February 17, 1953. Getting married shortened Bob's commitment to the Air Force by 2 years. He served in the Air Force from 1953-1955, where he was trained as an Air Traffic Controller serving in Japan during the K0rean War. After his honorable discharge he was hired by the federal government as an Air Traffic Controller when he and Joyce began to plan their family & their future.

On March 13, 1957 Bob and Joyce had their first son, Gregory Alan born in Mitchell, SD. At the time Bob was stationed in Anchorage in the Alaska Territory. Six weeks after Greg's birth, mom & son made the adventurous plane trip to be united as a family for the first time. Eventually he & his new family were stationed in King Salmon in the Alaska Territory. Battle Creek, Michigan was their next stop, where their second son, Richard Scot was born on February 12, 1960. After two years in Michigan, Bob accepted a position in the new airport in Lincoln, Nebraska where they were closer to home. Then in 1965 Bob was given the opportunity of being stationed in Rapid City, South Dakota. He jumped on it and his family quickly took up root there and thrived. He retired from the FAA in 1979 when he purchased John's Second Hand Store, Joyce and Rick joined him to operate the Store for a couple of years. After selling the secondhand store he and Joyce served the best food ever in the concession stand at the American Legion baseball field for a couple of years. Bob then became the equipment manager at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, where both Rick and Greg graduated, to end out his working career. He was always a great father, husband and friend.

His wife, Joyce, sadly passed away, much to young, in March of 1993 which sent Bob's life into a different direction. A devoted family man he did not know how to live by himself. After a couple of years he was lucky enough to find the second love of his life, Patricia "Pat" Hauck from Spearfish. They happily married in May of 1996 and Bob's family instantly grew. He gained 2 more sons, Bill and Carl and 2 daughters, Patti and Libby, which he always wanted. Bob has one granddaughter, Sarah, 2 extended grandsons, Clay and Chase and an extended granddaughter Danielle. He also has 3 extended family great-grandchildren as well.

Bob was a sports enthusiast who enjoyed baseball, basketball, football, bowling and golf. He played 3 ^rd base on a fastpitch softball team upon moving to Rapid City. He and Joyce were in a mixed doubles bowling league for several years. Bob also coached both of his sons during their baseball and softball careers, including a SD State A Slow Pitch Softball Championship in 1980. Bob was also one of the original founders of the Timberline Little League in Rapid City in the early 1970's. He was an active member of the Rapid City Elks Lodge for 55 years, where he played golf and cards with the "boys" into his mid-80's.

Bob was also a gambling man, attending & hosting weekly poker games with his card playing buddies. He loved card games of all kinds and was a formidable cribbage player. He loved playing bridge with both of his wives and their friends. Upon moving to Spearfish with Pat, the two of them would make weekly excursions to Deadwood to play the slots. He was a wise gambler and knew when to stop. He always kept a tally of his daily winnings or losing and every year he came out on top. Bob loved to entertain, barbeque and feed his friends and family.

Bob was preceded in death by his father, Cap; his mother, Della; his brother, Rollie; his brother, Ralph; his sister, Margie; his brother, Richard; his first wife, Joyce and his grandson Jacob. He is survived by his second wife, Pat; his son, Greg; his son Rick, Rick's wife Mary and their daughter Sarah; his stepdaughter Patti Winkler, her husband Tom, their children Clay (Christina, Paige and Cash), Danielle Smith (Matthew and Elizabeth) and Chase (Raquel); his stepdaughter Libby Baracani, her husband Mark and their sons Dante and Dawson; his stepson Bill and his companion Mary; his stepson Carl and Carl's daughter Allie; his younger sister Marcella and two younger brothers Roger and Raymond.

Bob loved his families so much. He always looked for ways to have reunions and get togethers with his Mom, Della and especially his sisters Marc and Margie, his brother Ralph & their spouses. He was a great, kind and loving man who will be missed by so many. With great sorrow Bob passed away at 7 am on February 11, 2020.

Many thanks to the many caregivers including Doctors Eggleston, Arrambide and Kullard, Shaina and Deana from Dr. Eggleston's office, all the nurses and staff at the John T. Vucurevich Cancer Care Institute in Rapid City and all the caregivers from Comfort Keepers, Interim Health Care, Heartland Home Health, Regional Health and Hospice, Edgewood Vista and Garden Hills Assisted Living that helped Bob along his final journey. You all made a huge difference that positively impacted his and his family's lives.

A visitation will be held at 8:30 A.M. on Monday, February 17, 2020, followed by a Memorial Service at 9:00 A.M. at Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapel in Spearfish, SD. Burial will be at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis at 10:30 A.M.

A celebration of Bob's life will follow the burial from noon until 3:00 P.M. at Bob and Pat's home at 216 Yellowstone Place in Spearfish. Please come and join us in celebrating a life well lived. Bob would be happy to know that there was a party in his honor at his house.

Rest in Peace.

Arrangements are under the care of Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapels and Isburg Crematory of Spearfish. Online condolences may be written at www.fidler-isburgfuneralchapels.com