Robert Glen Brunner "Bob"

On Thursday, December 8, 2022, Robert Glen Brunner (Bob) devoted husband and father passed away in Topeka, KS at the age of ninety. Born to Andrew and Gladys Brunner on September 12, 1932, Bob spent his entire life in Northeast Kansas.

Bob was born in Bern, KS and grew up on a farm where he learned hard work, common sense, and shenanigans. His mother insisted on teaching her children to cook and he developed a passion for food early in his life. As a child, he was active in 4H where he raised and showed his prize calves.

Bob graduated Sabetha High School in Sabetha, KS in 1951 and then served in the U.S. Army, stationed in Germany. As a young man, Bob had a lead foot and could be spotted racing his yellow and black '55 Mercury.

On May 6, 1956, he married Eloise Mary Wenger, and together they had three children that he taught to fish, hunt, water ski, garden and much more. He supported his family as a fireman on the Topeka Fire Department and retired as a Captain after 26 years of service. On his days off from the fire department, he built new homes, remodeled houses, and raised cattle.

He was a proud member of the Kansas Freemasons for over 50 years and he provided guidance as a board member of the Hoyt Volunteer Fire Department for many years.

Bob was a mastermind when it came to carpentry. He could create, build, and fix literally anything. In 1976, he envisioned his most ingenious creation. He built a full mini-home camper out of a salvaged ford van that had been burnt to a crisp. Initially, Eloise was not keen on the idea, but it turned out beautifully and the family spent many years traveling in the camper.

His hobbies included hunting, fishing, and camping. He had a love for bird dogs, horses, and Polled Hereford cattle. Fritz, Buttons, Scarlett, and Stubbie were among his favorites.

He was the ultimate storyteller and enjoyed sharing life events that he considered humorous and important to him. He would repeat them, frequently, with embellishment, and there were always a few misremembered facts scattered throughout.

Bob would often combine his enjoyment of hunting, cooking, entertaining, and pulling practical jokes. He would invite neighbors and friends for a scrumptious dinner. The guests would inquire, "What are we having for dinner?" The best part of the meal for him was seeing their face when they learned the main course, so his reply would be, "You just try it, and let me know if you like it." Unknowingly, the guests could be eating anything non-traditional like snapping turtle, alligator, and mountain oysters. The family dubbed this as 'mystery meat' dinners and these dinners would fuel Bob's love of telling stories.

When Bob and Eloise retired, they spent their winters in Harlingen, TX where they made many new friends and enjoyed the warm winters.

Bob lived a full life as a proud husband, father, grandpa, and great grandpa. He is survived by his wife Eloise and their three children, Cindy Jackson and her husband Russ of Valley Center, KS, Doug Brunner and his wife Janet of Silver Lake, KS, and Julie Branham and her husband, Ken of Dayton, OH. He is also survived by his grandchildren that he adored, Diana Brunner and Ryan Leonard of Silver Lake, KS, Kelli and Dan Leben of Wichita, KS, Andrew and Jenna Brunner of Colby, KS, Wyatt and Sarah Jackson, of Potwin, KS, and Karlee and Matthew Legleiter of Hays, KS. He was able to share in the excitement and joy of his great grandchildren Dack, Steele, Bly, Andie, and Benjamin.

The last words he spoke were "I love you!"

His family will greet friends and relatives at 2:00pm and a funeral service will be held at 3:00 pm., Tuesday, December 13, 2022 at Penwell Gabel Funeral Home, 1321 SW 10th Avenue, Topeka. He will be laid to rest at Bern Cemetery at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to the Hoyt Volunteer Fire Department, 202 E 4th St, Hoyt, KS 66440.

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