Bobby Lee Oehrke, 76, of Sedalia, passed away Monday, July 30, 2012, at the Kansas City VA Medical Center.

He was born January 20, 1936, in Florence, a son of Oscar A. and Augusta Bremer Oehrke. On April 16, 1961, in Cole Camp, he married Marlene Schumaker, who survives of the home.

Mr. Oehrke served in the U.S. Army. He was a dedicated husband for over 50 years and a supportive father, always active in his son's sports. He also served as a little league baseball coach. For 35 years he worked as a lineman for Central Electric Cooperative. When most of us were in our beds pulling up the covers because of a bad storm, Bob was on a pole in lightning, hail, etc. getting the lights back on. Starting in 1993, he was the proud grandfather of what would become three grandchildren.

Better known as "Mr. Bob" to State Fair Community College players, coaches and fans, Bob has devoted countless hours to the college's athletic programs during his eighteen years as an SFCC Booster Club member. He helped by driving the bus to away games, helped the coaches with recruiting, and by providing a "home away from home" for the student athletes. In 2012, he was inducted into the SFCC Hall of Fame for his service to the school. Bob didn't meet anyone that he wasn't eager to help in some way.

In addition to his wife, survivors include a son, Terry Oehrke, and his wife, Selene, of Kansas City, MO; three grandchildren, Austin, Jared and Delaney Oehrke; a brother, Cecil Oehrke, and his wife, Charlene, of Sedalia; and a sister-in-law, Mary Oehrke, of Sedalia.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Leroy Oehrke; and a sister, Nadine (Oehrke) Hopkins.

Funeral services will be at 1:30 p.m. Friday at Heckart Funeral Home, with the Rev. Brady Abel officiating.
Casket bearers will be Austin Oehrke, Jared Oehrke, Darren Pannier, Bud Scott, Greg Banaka and Kevin Bucher. Honorary bearers will be John Higgins and Gilbert Glenn.

Burial will be in Highland Sacred Gardens.

The family will receive friends from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Friday at Heckart Funeral Home.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the Leukemia Foundation. Friends are invited to share memories at bob.oehrke.com.

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