Robert "Bob" L. Brockhoff
January 26, 1936 — March 19, 2023
Robert (Bob) Leon Brockhoff Sr. passed away on March 19, 2023 at the age of 87. He peacefully entered eternal rest at his home in Minden, Iowa.
Bob was born in Fairview, KS on January 26, 1936 to Howard and Leah (Mellenbruch) Brockhoff. Shortly after graduation from Fairview High School, Bob enlisted in the U.S. Air Force serving as an air policeman. While stationed in Germany, it was there that he met Luise, his wife of over 64 years. They were joined in marriage on February 12, 1959. Four boys were born from this union: Wayne, Robert Jr., Arthur, and Virgil.
After being honorably discharged from the Air Force, Bob returned to Sabetha, KS where he began his 43-year career as a welder and metal fabricator. He worked for his father until 1976 after which he moved to Minden, IA and opened his own business, Minden Iron Works. He operated his welding shop with son Art until retiring in 2003. During his time in the shop, Bob was a member of the Iowa Blacksmiths and Welders Association for 25 years, holding many offices within the organization including serving as president for 3 of those years.
Bob enjoyed different hobbies and had many special interests over the years but all were dwarfed by his passion for singing. Whether he was singing in nursing homes and churches over the holidays, helping music departments of area high schools, or calling every member of the family on their birthday so he could sing Happy Birthday to them, Bob made the most of every opportunity to share his talent and love for singing whenever and wherever he possibly could. He nearly always wore a button that simply said, "I Sing". He was just waiting for someone to ask… "Do you sing?" …to which he always proudly replied, "Yes, I do! I sing bass of a four-part A Capella harmony in the Barbershop style". He was a member of the Society for the Preservation and Enjoyment of Barbershop Quartet Singing in America or S.P.E.B.S.Q.S.A. and had been a member of the Happiness Express Barbershop chorus in Denison Iowa for over 30 years. Additionally, he also sang in several church choruses in the area over the years. Bob had a great devotion to God and the church and belonged to the United Lutheran Church in Shelby since moving to Iowa in 1976. Heaven has a new bass to sing with the chorus of angels.
In addition to his parents, Bob was preceded in death by two brothers, Dean Brockhoff and Roger Brockhoff and son, Wayne Brockhoff. Survivors include his wife Luise, children Robert (Naomi) Brockhoff, Jr of Minden, IA; Art (Kristina) Brockhoff of Avoca, IA; Virgil (Kim) Brockhoff of Sergeant Bluff, IA; siblings Carolyn (Charles) Middendorf of Olathe, KS; Judy (D.P.) Jones of Powhattan, KS; 9 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.
Bob was born in Fairview, KS on January 26, 1936 to Howard and Leah (Mellenbruch) Brockhoff. Shortly after graduation from Fairview High School, Bob enlisted in the U.S. Air Force serving as an air policeman. While stationed in Germany, it was there that he met Luise, his wife of over 64 years. They were joined in marriage on February 12, 1959. Four boys were born from this union: Wayne, Robert Jr., Arthur, and Virgil.
After being honorably discharged from the Air Force, Bob returned to Sabetha, KS where he began his 43-year career as a welder and metal fabricator. He worked for his father until 1976 after which he moved to Minden, IA and opened his own business, Minden Iron Works. He operated his welding shop with son Art until retiring in 2003. During his time in the shop, Bob was a member of the Iowa Blacksmiths and Welders Association for 25 years, holding many offices within the organization including serving as president for 3 of those years.
Bob enjoyed different hobbies and had many special interests over the years but all were dwarfed by his passion for singing. Whether he was singing in nursing homes and churches over the holidays, helping music departments of area high schools, or calling every member of the family on their birthday so he could sing Happy Birthday to them, Bob made the most of every opportunity to share his talent and love for singing whenever and wherever he possibly could. He nearly always wore a button that simply said, "I Sing". He was just waiting for someone to ask… "Do you sing?" …to which he always proudly replied, "Yes, I do! I sing bass of a four-part A Capella harmony in the Barbershop style". He was a member of the Society for the Preservation and Enjoyment of Barbershop Quartet Singing in America or S.P.E.B.S.Q.S.A. and had been a member of the Happiness Express Barbershop chorus in Denison Iowa for over 30 years. Additionally, he also sang in several church choruses in the area over the years. Bob had a great devotion to God and the church and belonged to the United Lutheran Church in Shelby since moving to Iowa in 1976. Heaven has a new bass to sing with the chorus of angels.
In addition to his parents, Bob was preceded in death by two brothers, Dean Brockhoff and Roger Brockhoff and son, Wayne Brockhoff. Survivors include his wife Luise, children Robert (Naomi) Brockhoff, Jr of Minden, IA; Art (Kristina) Brockhoff of Avoca, IA; Virgil (Kim) Brockhoff of Sergeant Bluff, IA; siblings Carolyn (Charles) Middendorf of Olathe, KS; Judy (D.P.) Jones of Powhattan, KS; 9 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.
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