Robert E. Brueck

Bob Brueck, 85, of Burlington, died at 4:43 AM Sunday, January 16, 2022, at the Klein Center in West Burlington.

Born October 9, 1936, in Burlington, he was the son of Paul Peter and Agnes Mary Vogelgesang Brueck. On October 6, 1956 he married Martha Ann Hertel. She preceded him in death on May 20, 1997. He later married Judith Shotwell. 

He graduated from Burlington Catholic in 1954.  

Bob was a pressman for The HawkEye Newspaper prior to starting Brueck Construction in 1976, which he owned and operated until his retirement.

He was a member of Divine Mercy Parish and Knights of Columbus 4th Degree Honorary Lifetime Member. Bob was a family man who inspired others to live life to the fullest and take chances. He encouraged higher education with a primary focus on the trade skills. Other interests included a love of the fine arts, sports, his Catholic faith community and the City of Burlington. He always led by example! Bob loved Notre Dame, he supported the SCC Blackhawks and the University of Iowa Hawkeyes. He sang in a barbershop quartet for over 25 years and was a Boy Scout leader. He loved bowling, dancing, waterskiing and the family cabin on the Mississippi River. 

Bob was a visionary! He dreamed of a vital and thriving downtown. He dedicated the last 25 years of his professional life to the revitalization of downtown and played an important role in developing the Port of Burlington, the Capitol Theater, Burlington Steeple Lightscape Project and Main Street projects. He was recognized for his leadership which paved the way for our current downtown businesses and upper story revitalization. He was bestowed with many local, state and national honors.

Survivors include his wife, Judith Brueck of Burlington; sons, Kenneth (Teresa) Brueck of Burlington, Matt (Susan) Brueck of Burlington, Steve (Nancy) Brueck of Burlington, Gary (Deb) Brueck of Burlington, Bernie (Jenel) Brueck of Indianola, IA, Pete (Julie) Brueck of Burlington, and Mike Brueck of West Des Moines; daughters, Christine (Dan) Reid of Burlington, Rosie (Dennis) Busta of Forest City, IA and Karen (Dennis) Marino of West Burlington; step-son, Johnathon Shotwell of Chicago; 33 grandchildren; 35 great-grandchildren; brother, Mark (Sharon) Brueck; sisters-in-law, Jean Leas, Ketura Brueck, Susan (John) Randolph and Paula (Joe) DeJesus; brother-in-law, Paul (Nancy) Hertel; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Martha; two brothers, Paul and Mike Brueck; sister, Mary (Richard) Schier and great-grandson, Reid Gleeson.  

The Rosary service will be held at 4:00 PM Thursday, January 27, 2022, at Divine Mercy Parish-St. John the Baptist Catholic Church with a brief time of sharing to follow. Family will greet friends until 7:00 PM. Due to the Covid-19 Pandemic, the family kindly asks that all guest wear a mask or face covering.

The Funeral Mass of the Resurrection for Mr. Brueck will be 10:00 AM Friday, January 28, 2022, at Divine Mercy Parish-St. John the Baptist Catholic Church with Very Rev. Father Marty Goetz as the Celebrant.  Burial will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery. The funeral mass will be live streamed on the Divine Mercy Parish Facebook page.

In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established for the Burlington Notre Dame Schools, Burlington Capitol Theater Foundation, Des Moines County Humane Society, and Boy Scouts of America.

Bob's service can be view by visiting the Des Moines County Catholic Youtube page by clicking this link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CIq7SQ7Ii58

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.