Robert L. Weinkauf

Robert "Bob" Weinkauf passed away on the morning of January 22nd, 2022 surrounded by his children.

Bob was born on June 29th, 1933 to John and Marie Weinkauf in Topeka, Kansas. He attended Topeka Lutheran School and Topeka High School which is where he met the love of his life, Alice Mae Clark. Shortly after graduating, he served in the United States Army for 2 years. As soon as he returned home, he married Alice on June 19th, 1955. Together they had three children, John, Suzanne, and James. He was a man of faith and attended St. John's Lutheran Church every Sunday. He followed in his father's footsteps by joining the Topeka Police Department where he served for 35 years and retired as Chief of Police. He was a beloved member of his community. People all over town knew him from his time with the police department, from church activities, or just from his charm he took with him everywhere.

Bob enjoyed being active throughout his life. In his youth, he played basketball. When he got a bit older, he switched to golf, bowling, and long walks. And even when he was (as he would say) as old as dirt, he worked out with dumbbells, never missing an opportunity to show off his muscles. He referred to his right arm as Thunder and his left one as Lightning.

Bob led an amazing life filled with many stories and got to meet many people (including a few Presidents), but nothing was more important to him than his family. From simple weekly coffee and donuts with his siblings and weekend cookouts to cross country road trips (always making a "short" Vegas detour), he loved spending time with his family. He was a devoted father and grandfather. When the kids were little, he'd drive to every store in town to make sure they got the Christmas present they had on their wish list and as they got older, he gave them advice, life lessons, and all the stories and jokes he had. Bob was a very loving husband. He always said Alice was the only one for him. Even after she passed away, he always made sure that the love of his life had flowers on anniversaries, birthdays, Valentine's days, other holidays, and just because he loved her days. He will be remembered for many things including his sense of humor and the ability to make anyone smile which he kept until the very end. But most importantly, he will be remembered as the best dad and grandpa anyone could ever ask for.

Robert is survived by his children John Weinkauf, Suzanne (Steve) Hoxsie, and James Weinkauf and grandchildren Scott Weinkauf, Zack Hoxsie, and Olivia Weinkauf.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Alice and six siblings, Adelaide Greer, LaVerna Lane, John Joseph Weinkauf, Jr., Anna Louise Hill, and Gary Phillip Weinkauf.

Funeral services will be at 10 am Friday, January 28, 2022 at St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church. Interment will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5pm-7pm, Thursday, January 27, 2022 at Penwell-Gabel Funeral Home.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church 901 SW Fillmore, Topeka, KS 66606.

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