Obituaries

Robert "Bob" Bumgardner

Robert Dewayne "Bob" Bumgardner, 70, of Benton, Ark., passed away on Sept. 28, 2017. Visitation will be held on Oct. 2 from 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. at Ashby Funeral Home, Benton, Ark. A memorial service for family members will follow from 1–2 p.m. Bob was born on Nov. 13, 1946 in England, Ark. to William Z. and J. Marie (Miller) Bumgardner. Following his high school graduation, he was a student at the University of Central Arkansas until his enlistment in the United States Marine Corps in 1966. He served proudly during the Vietnam Conflict and received his discharge in 1969. After his discharge, he resumed his studies at the University of Central Arkansas. It was during this time that he met and married Reita Norris on Oct 2, 1970. After receiving his M.Ed from Ouachita Baptist University, he taught HS English and Journalism for the Department of Defense Overseas Schools in Naples, Italy and Aviano, Italy. An avid reader and lover of history, Bob enjoyed living in Europe and took advantage of any opportunity to travel to a new place. He was fond of saying that he "always had to see what was over the next hill". A devoted husband, father, and grandfather, he is survived by his wife Reita Bumgardner (née Norris), two sons, William and April Bumgardner of Zionsville, Ind., and Eric and Keirsten Bumgardner of Georgetown, Texas, and five grandsons: Jack, Alexander, Sean, Samuel, and Gabriel, as well as a sister, Debbie Petty (née Bumgardner) of Searcy, Ark., and a brother, Randy Bumgardner, of Orlando, Fla. On-line guest book at www.ashbyfuneralhome.com.

Published October 1, 2017

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