POGGENPOHL, Robert P.

Robert P. Poggenpohl Oct 15, 1927 – May 26, 2016 He did it Bob’s way. Throughout his 88 years, Robert “Bob” Poggenpohl lived his life his way. A self-made man who took pride in his accomplishments, Bob made a lasting impact on many people’s lives. He was a husband, a father, a grandfather, a boss, a landlord, and a friend to many. Born in Litchfield IL and raised on a farm in Morrisonville, IL, Bob learned to respect hard work early, doing daily chores and raising pigs before and after school. Drafted into the army in 1945, he served in the Philippines at the end of WWII. Returning to Illinois, he delayed attending college to help his father on the family farm while his brother Carl entered military service. After his brother returned, Bob graduated with an accounting degree in 1951 from Eastern Illinois University. Bob married Marge Hill in 1955 and they moved to St. Louis, where he went to work for the Kirby Company, selling vacuums door to door. His persistence, business savvy and hard work soon paid off, and Bob was offered his own sales territory throughout eastern Nebraska and western Iowa, including Omaha. He flourished, building a business that provided not only for his own growing family but gave opportunity to countless others. If you were willing to work hard, Bob had a place for you, and he made lifelong friends of many of his employees—a testament to the warm heart beneath his sometimes gruff outer demeanor. He was always ready to give a hand up to those willing to take it. A dedicated husband, Bob spent many of his later years caring for his wife Marge at home after she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Once she moved to a care home, he continued to visit her every day, taking her for walks and staying by her side until her death in 2011. In his sunset years, Bob loved sitting in the sun, watching the activity of the world, always wanting to be where the action was. Never afraid of sharing his opinion, he was that guy dressed in a sport coat and polished shoes, puttering around in his wheelchair, encouraging you to vote Republican or suggesting a better way to do something. And he was usually right. More than anything, the legacy Bob left is this: if you worked hard enough, you could reap great rewards in life. A longtime member of Christ the King parish in Omaha, Bob was preceded in death by his wife, Marge. He is survived by his children and spouses: Eugenia Taddeo and Peter, Tony Poggenpohl and Paula, Teresa Poggenpohl and Steve Steiner, Olivia Poggenpohl and David Moore, and Robert “Rob” Poggenpohl and Holly Meyer; and nine grandchildren: Caitlin, Joseph, David, Seth, Max, Eric, Grant, Jack, and Ava. The family will receive friends Monday, May 30th, from 3pm to 5pm at Christ the King Catholic Church, with VIGIL SERVICE at 5pm at the church. MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL Tuesday, May 31st at 10am at Christ the King Church. Interment will be at Resurrection Cemetery, Omaha. Memorials are suggested to Alzheimer’s Association or Christ the King Church.

HEAFEY-HOFFMANN DWORAK & CUTLER Mortuaries and Crematories 5108 F Street Omaha, Nebraska 68117 (402) 391-3900

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