It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Robert (Bob) Hutchins Boehmler, Sr., a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, son, brother, uncle and friend. Bob was born on July 20, 1930, in Hampton, Iowa, and embarked on a life journey filled with love, hard work and cherished memories. He peacefully passed away surrounded by his family on June 15, 2023, in Bentonville, Ark.
Bob graduated from Hampton High School, attended Grinnell College and enlisted in the newly formed United States Air Force. He proudly served our country in the Korean War in communications for 4 years. During those years, he met and married the love of his life, Donna Marie Swanstrom of Iowa Falls, Iowa.
After completing his military career, Bob tried his hand at farming on the family farm and decided to make another career change to retail which took his family from Hampton to Winterset, Iowa, then settling in Montgomery City.
Bob’s entrepreneurial spirit led him to own and operate Bob’s 5 and 10, the Clothes Hanger and The Shoe Horn in Montgomery City. He took great pride in serving his community through his memberships at the First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Masonic Lodge #246, American Legion, Shriners, Kiwanis, Missouri Retailers Association, Elks Lodge and others.
Retirement took the Boehlmers to Table Rock Lake at Kimberling City and Pharr, Texas, where they divided their time. These locations offered the perfect backdrop to enjoy boating, golf, bridge, square dancing, woodworking projects, ceramics and spending time with family and friends.
In 2017, Bob and Donna relocated to Primrose Retirement Community in Rogers, Ark., to be closer to family and have less day-to-day responsibilities. They have made new friends and have had memorable celebrations such as their recent 72nd wedding anniversary.
Bob is survived by wife, Donna; daughter, Roxanne B. Snowden of Bentonville, Ark.; sons, Robert H. Boehmler Jr. (Jeanne) of Bentonville, William M. Boehmler (Judy) of Dyersburg Tenn., and Brook S. Boehmler (Carol) of Mason City, Iowa; 10 grandchildren, Cassandra Rapert, Chelsea Bassham, Dacia Johnson (Josh), Blake Boehmler (Mary), Leah Padilla (Brendon), Michael Boehmler (Emily), Chad Boehmler (Amanda), Aaron Boehmler (Amanda) and Jackie Liu (Ewing); 18 great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends. Preceding him in death were father and mother, James H. and Eloise Tebay Boehmler; brothers, James Boehmler Jr., Barton Boehmler and Richard Boehmler; granddaughter, Nicole Basnett Yannizzi; and son-in-law, Lonnie Snowden.
As we bid farewell to Robert Hutchins Boehmler Sr., we take solace in knowing that his spirit will live on through the lives he touched. Bob’s love of God, his country and family, along with his integrity and strong work ethic, will be his legacy and continue to inspire and guide us. We mourn his loss, but we also celebrate the beautiful life he lived.
Visitation will be at 2 p.m. on June 24, 2023, at Nelson-Berna Funeral Home, 100 S. 28th Street in Rogers. His celebration of life service will follow at 3 p.m. A private family interment will follow in Hampton at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made directly to Wounded Warriors Project, Shriners Children’s Hospital St. Louis, MO or the charity of your choice.
The family wishes to express their heartfelt gratitude to the staff of Mercy Emergency Room and ICU, Circle of Life Hospice in Bentonville and the staff at Primrose Retirement Community.
To sign the online guest book please visit www.bernafuneralhomes.com.
