Robert "Bob" Brugger

Former Southlake, TX resident and Ocean Grove Tenter, Robert “Bob” Brugger, loving husband, father, and grandfather, passed away in the early hours of February 10, 2019 at the age of 76, after a decade-long battle with Alzheimer’s.

Robert Dean Brugger was born on August 27, 1942 in Gladwin, Michigan, to John and Vivian (nee Mishler) Brugger.  He attended Coleman High School (class of 1960), where he played baseball, basketball, and football.  Bob served five years in the Navy, then graduated from Central Michigan University, where he met his wife, Jane.  They married on January 27, 1973 in New Jersey.  He earned his master’s degree in economics from the University of Miami, where he and Jane spent five years living on a sailboat before starting their family and beginning a lifelong career in the telecommunications industry with GTE.  Throughout his career, he exemplified integrity and a good work ethic, while always putting his family first.

An avid golfer, sailor, and fisherman, Bob spent much of his free time on the links, dropping two hole-in-ones.  He remained a sports enthusiast throughout his life, always attending his children’s games (including a few times being asked by the referee to support the team from the parking lot!).  From his earliest days, Bob loved music, often singing, whistling, or humming along to his favorite songs, even as he began to forget the lyrics.  In his final days, with his brilliant mind suffering the effects of disease, he was still singing to his family and caretakers.

He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Jane; children Kristiana, Joshua and his wife Lauren, and Hilary; grandchildren Joshua and Adalyn; and siblings Paul and Kathryn Brugger, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.  He is pre-deceased by his parents and brother Aden.

A celebration of his life will be held in early June in Ocean Grove, NJ.  Donations in memory of Bob can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association via the following link: http://act.alz.org/goto/Robert_Brugger

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